Amidst the current climate in the world, Tanzania stands as a haven of peace and one that consistently upholds national unity and social cohesion.
“We are hopeful that with such unity, we will move to the even higher levels. Let us continue to work hard at it for this to happen,” says H.E. Samia Sululu Hassan, President of Tanzania.
On April 26, 2024, Tanzania and Zanzibar celebrated the 60th anniversary of the creation of the United Republic of Tanzania through the union of two formerly sovereign States – Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Under the leadership of the late Julius Nyerere, the first president of Tanganyika – and later on Tanzania – and the late Amani Karume, the first president of Zanzibar, the two countries made a commitment to share their political values and goals.
“The founding fathers of this country set a very strong foundation for peaceful and brotherly coexistence. There are no boundaries when it comes to tribes, religions, or color. This has been one of the greatest achievements made by any African country to sustain this kind of coexistence,” says Abdirahman M Ahmed, Managing Director of Lake Energies.
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Through smooth transitions of political power, Tanzania has consistently chosen dialogue, unity, and inclusivity to maintain the country’s stability.
“The world’s shortest war on record was fought between Britain and Zanzibar in 1896, lasting around a mere 45 minutes. Historically, almost every leader of the nation has always preached peace. They have preached ‘Umoja’, which means unity. We are a very peaceful and calm people, which is reflected in our culture, our well-being, and the way we conduct ourselves,” says Hafsa H. Mbamba, CEO of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.
The name Tanzania was formed after the historical union of the two countries in 1964. A befitting name; the meaning of the country’s largest city and financial hub Dar es Salaam, translates into ‘home of peace’ in the Arabic language.
“We have more than 100 ethnic groups in Tanzania, which have unique cultures within themselves but we are united by a language which we all speak. We have this sense of being members of a country, not members of an ethnic group,” says Madaraka Nyerere, the son of Julius Nyerere and Chairman of Culture and Development East Africa (CDEA).
Tanzania has never experienced a civil war or any major internal strife since its independence, continuing to promote a culture of peace among its people. “Unlike other countries, it’s very difficult for someone to ask you what your tribe is in Tanzania. It’s because the foundation that was built by our founding fathers has made us feel like one. For example, when someone from Kilimanjaro is supposed to start secondary school, they are transferred to other regions, which means they meet with different people. From there, you go to university or national service. While there, you may even find your partner and start a family. That is how the nation is built,” says Nicolaus Shombe, Managing Director of the National Development Corporation.
Tanzania maintains harmony in its political leadership, ensuring that the President and Prime Minister of the country are represented from the Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar.
“Our leaders have laid a strong foundation to unite the people of the country. We feel that we are more Tanzanians than whatever geographical areas we may be coming from or our religious backgrounds. There is a national unity that has been built on democratic grounds and we have been able to sustain that democratic approach in the way we handle our politics” says Gissima Hanga,
Managing Director of TANESCO.
The current government continues to honor the legacy of peace initiated by the nation’s previous leaders, as Tanzania is often highlighted in the Global Peace Index as one of the safest countries in Africa.
“Our national value is unity and peace. Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has introduced the four Rs, which are pillars for democracy and economic prosperity: reconciliation, resilience, reform, and rebuilding. This means there is no room for friction. Differences are dealt with through reconciliation and reforms focus on development, thinking big, and rebuilding together. Our union is not just a political structure, it is the union of people, which embraces economic and social integration,” says Dr. Venance Mwasse, Managing Director of STAMICO.
Embracing and celebrating tribal diversity and maintaining exemplary social cohesion and national unity, Tanzania continues to be hailed as a beacon of peace in Africa.
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