The nine (or more) lives of Julius Nyerere

Why did he, world-renowned benefactor and protector of refugees, hand over the Kenyan exiles, condemning them to sure death?

Could he have been involved in the attempt to oust Kabila once the Mobutu job was done and Kabila proved to be still... Kabila?

There was a conspiratorial side to Julius Nyerere that makes some people wince when his name is mentioned in connection with sainthood — and not only because politicians, by their very nature, cannot be saints.

But there is a problem in trying to place a man who was favoured with a long life, multiple theatres of operation and the dexterity to play opposed roles (almost) at the same time, always with an intellectual gravitas denied his peers.