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Tazara: The freedom rail that is collapsing

Tazara. Its construction was between 1970 and 1975, and its inauguration was in 1976. [Credit: Boston Review]

Half a century ago, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (Tazara) stood out as a crucial symbol of Africa's struggle for independence. The 1,860km-long railway connects Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia with Dar es Salaam at the Indian Ocean.

Tazara's construction between 1970 and 1975, and inauguration in 1976, were steeped in anti-imperialist narratives that emphasised Sino-African solidarity.

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