Nyerere's government had warm relations with the neighbouring Zambian government of Kenneth Kaunda. Conversely, it had poor relations with another neighbour, Malawi, whose leader Hastings Banda accused the Tanzanians of supporting government ministers who he claimed opposed him
Boma la Nyerere linali ndi ubale wabwino ndi boma loyandikana nalo la Zambia la Kenneth Kaunda. Mosiyana ndi izi, idasokonekera bwino ndi dziko la Malawi loyandikana nalo, yemwe mtsogoleri wake Hastings Banda adadzudzula a Tanzania kuti amathandizira nduna za boma zomwe akuti zimatsutsana naye