Tanzanian leader Edward Moring Sokoyeni
By: Aya Barakat
On April12,1984, the radio broadcast of Radio Tanzania Dar EL-Salam (RTD) was suddenly stopped, and the national anthem was played. Immediately after the anthem, President Julius Nyerere announced the tragedy and the historical catastrophe of the Tanzanian nation, saying: “Dear Respected citizens, today our brother and son, the Prime Minister of Tanzania, was on his way to Dar EL- Salaam. And his car was involved in a painful accident, as a result of which he died".
With these poignant and expressive words of pain, sadness and tribute to the late Edward Sokwini, the late President Julius Nerere mourned "one of the best leaders in the country".
Edward Sokoini was born on Monday, August 1, 1938, in the town of "Monduli" in the "Arusha" governorate. He received his primary and intermediate education at the "Monduli" school, then in 1956 he joined the "Omboy" school to complete his secondary education.
In 1961, Edward Sokwini joined the Tanganyika National Union (TANU) party, a few months before Tanganyika's independence, and returned again; To complete his university studies, traveling to Germany to study management, then returned home again in 1963.
At the age of 27, he ran for Parliament, ran in a race for the Maasai State parliamentary election and won it.
Despite his young age, he was a brilliant wit; This caught the attention of everyone, including President Julius Nyerere, who appointed him as Deputy Minister of Communications, Transport and Labor. Later, he was promoted to Minister of Defense in Tanzania in 1972, and he was greatly loved and supported by the army at the time.
The Tanzanian Moring was a politician, who fight corruption, theft, and exploitation. He served two terms as Prime Minister of Tanzania, from February 13, 1977 to November 7, 1980, and then held the same position from February 24, 1983 to April 12, 1984. He was known for his hard work and enthusiastic speech, which influencing the hearts of the public, in addition to what he was known for his sincerity, dedication and constant search for solutions to the problems of citizens.
It is said that he gave a lot to society, so that he decided to donate part of his salary to help others, so he established what is called the Presidential Trust Fund, in which he used to put part of his salary to help mothers borrow.
On April 12, 1984, Edward Moring Sokoyeni, one of the best leaders in the country, died in a horrific car accident on the Dodoma-Dar EL-Salaam Road at the age of 45, leaving behind two wives and eleven children.
Sokoweni's body arrived at the presidential palace, at exactly eleven o'clock in the evening, on the same day, covered with the national flag. The funeral of the late witnessed all respect and reverence, and was attended by a large crowd of people led by the teacher, "Nyerere"; to bid farewell to the late beloved. He was buried with all the accolades he received.
Sokoini's death at that time was a great shock, as he was a distinguished leader in his commitment to using Tanzania to achieve high patriotism. According to what was said about the late Sokoini, he was diligent in his work, honest and clear, a patriotic leader. His realism and affiliation appeared in many of his speeches when he was speaking to citizens or Leaders in various events and national events.
(Image Copyright: Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania)
