Gordon Hyden and Donald Williams note relative stability of Tanzania post-independence, in spite of generalized post-colonial instability.
Gordon Hyden and Donald C. Williams, "A Community Model of African Politics: Illustrations from Nigeria and Tanzania," Comparative Studies in Society and History 36, no. 1 (January 1994): 78
The first head of state, Julius Nyerere, enjoyed remarkably stable rule as President until 1985, when he voluntarily stepped down in a peaceful transition of power