The Revolution in Zanzibar
Explore the upheaval in the early 1960s through the lens of Kenyan photojournalist Mohamed 'Mo' Amin.
Zanzibar revolution by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
A new dawn for Africa
Ghana was the first country in Africa to gain independence in 1964 and it would mark the end of colonial rule but also the beginning of violent upheaval in some countries. In his early 20s, Mohamed Amin travelled the continent to document these important events. One of his first international exclusives was the revolution in Zanzibar where he only just survived.
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The Spice Island of Zanzibar
Zanzibar gained independence from Britain in 1963. "The Spice Island of Zanzibar”, a mere ten-minute air hop off of the coast of Tanganyika, became the setting for one of the fiercest battles for East-West domination of the continent. Mo Amin had heard news of an upheaval and was determined to document this.
“The Spice Island of Zanzibar” by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
Mo on a mission
Unfortunately for the world’s press, whenever anything newsworthy happened in Zanzibar, the authorities had a nasty habit of closing down its airport. But there was one way to get across -- by dhow, the local wooden sailing ships that for centuries plied the trade routes of the Indian Ocean.
Young Mohamed Amin with his scooter by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
As a local lad, Mohamed Amin knew that the nearest point to Zanzibar was the old slaving port of Bagamoyo. Off he went and haggled for a dhow and someone to lift him on to it. It was a smart career move.
Self-styled Field Marshal John Okello by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
‘Field Marshall’ Johnny Okello
Mo Amin made it in time, setting himself up for one of the best stories he ever managed to cover. The story was sensational. A semi-literate Ugandan opportunist, self-styled 'Field Marshall’ Johnny Okello had seized power with a 600-strong peasant army.
Peasant army in Zanzibar by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
A horrible scene
In a week of blood-letting, 13,000 were murdered and their bodies dumped in the sea. Mohamed Amin documented it all.
Self-styled Field Marshal John Okello by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
International news
Thousands were herded behind barbed wire or spirited away behind the grim walls of Kilimamigu Prison. For four days Mohamed Amin’s work was headline news. He got his pictures out the same way as he got in -- by dhow.
Zanzibar revolution by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
The exodus
Meanwhile, white families took the hint. They abandoned their enviable lifestyle in a hurry. But at least they left with their lives. Mo recorded the exodus. The first out were 61 Americans, 12 British and 5 West Germans on the American destroyer USS Manley.
Abeid Karume by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
A new ruler, a new dangerous dawn
Okello’s reign of terror ended when the island’s first President, Sheikh Karume, came to power. With Karume in control, things became even more dangerous. Mohamed Amin would document the new regime and discover something that would make the Americans shiver.
Russian and East German ‘advisers' training Zanzibar soldiers by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
The Cold War in Tanzania
Discovering a new dirt road carved into the jungle, Mo found himself in a camp. Acting on a hunch, he began taking photographs. He had discovered a military training camp, with Russian and East German ‘advisers'. Proof indeed that the Cold War had come to the Spice Island.
Russian and East German ‘advisers' training Zanzibar soldiers by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
Caught by his name
Mohamed Amin was working for a News Agency called Visnews. Subscribers were offered all material shot by Visnews cameramen. Attached to the film was a camera sheet stating the cameraman’s name. One of Visnews' subscribers was the Russian News Agency, TASS. They informed their counterparts in Zanzibar about the footage. Mohamed Amin thought he had got away with a sensational scoop. How wrong he was.
Russian and East German ‘advisers' training Zanzibar soldiers by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
Free at last
Mohamed Amin was imprisoned at the notorious Kilimamigu Jail. After 28 of the worst days of his life, tortured, drugged and beaten, not knowing if he would live or die, Mo was finally released. He had lost 28 pounds, but he had gained a reputation. Thrown out of Tanzania at the age of 23 after his brush with the communists in Zanzibar, he had to start all over again.
