Askari monument slowly returning to normal

Crews work on restoring the Askari monument, which was repainted without permission during last year's Independence Day cleanup. Photo: Daniel Hayduk

Crews work on restoring the Askari monument, which was defaced during last year’s Independence Day cleanup. Photo: Daniel Hayduk

After many months, the Askari monument is slowly starting to look like itself again.

Over the past few days crews from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have been busy restoring the monument, which has stood in the roundabout at Samora Avenue and Maktaba Street since 1927.

It was defaced during last year’s Independence Day cleanup when a group of people took it upon themselves to repaint the historical monument.

According to the Daily News, the yellow paint on the monument base will likely remain, while the black paint applied to the bronze statue will be removed.

Making changes to any listed historical structures requires a permit and consultation from the Director of Antiquities.

The monument is a tribute to the Tanzanian ‘Askari’ troops who fought along side colonial powers in World War 1.

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About the Author

Daniel Hayduk
Daniel is Dar Post's news director. When not in the newsroom, he spends his days helping NGOs across the continent find their creative side.