The power of peace: a call to action for Tanzania's youth
A nation's future hangs in the balance. In the wake of recent disruptions, Dar es Salaam residents and business owners are sending a powerful message to the youth: uphold peace and follow lawful channels when expressing grievances. But here's where it gets controversial...
The consequences of violence and destruction are far-reaching, impacting not just the present but also future generations. It's a responsibility that falls on every citizen, leader, and young person to protect and nurture peace, for it is a greater inheritance than any material wealth.
At Mvuti Market, trader Juma Kambangwa experienced the unrest first-hand. The disruptions following the General Election on October 29th had a severe impact, disrupting business and community peace. "The effects were immense," Kambangwa shared. "We couldn't work, and the peace of mind was non-existent. For a whole week, business came to a standstill as people were afraid to come to the market. It affected our ability to pay taxes, and expenses soared while income plummeted."
Kambangwa urges the youth to resist the influence of online content and respect the country's legal framework. "Young people are often swayed by social media. They see chaos elsewhere and feel tempted to imitate it. But they must consider the consequences before taking part in demonstrations again."
And this is the part most people miss... the human impact. Zuwena Teikwa, a resident of Mvuti, described how life became unbearable during the unrest. As a mother of seven, finding food became an extreme challenge as prices skyrocketed. "Imagine paying a thousand shillings for a single tomato. It was a new and shocking reality."
Teikwa calls on young people to reflect on the damage caused, especially to public infrastructure, and to abandon actions driven by anger. "The government must ensure such incidents don't recur. Tanzania is a model of peace, not just in Africa but globally. Peace is easily destroyed but rebuilding it is a daunting task. Let's continue to promote love, peace, and unity as we've always done."
In Chanika, resident Seif Mwera emphasizes that safeguarding peace is a collective responsibility. "As residents, parents, and Tanzanians, it's our duty to protect the peace we cherish. We must advise the youth and those who incite unrest to do what's right. Parents, too, have a role to play in teaching their children the value of peace."
Another Chanika resident, Hussein Mawanja, highlights that some youth have a poor understanding of life's real challenges. "Many young people believe life is easy, but the truth is, it's not. They should avoid joining meaningless groups and focus on building their future. Peace is precious, and we must work hard to protect it."
For others, the unrest brought direct financial losses. Fred Halla, owner of Urithi Arts in Mbezi, had his art studio and stationery shop set on fire. "It wasn't just an office; it was my gallery and the source of income for my family. Losing it is devastating."
Janeth Mlozi, a businesswoman from Kariakoo, explains how the disturbances disrupted daily economic activities. "Our daily lives changed completely. Many of us depend on daily business to earn a living, so during those days, it was extremely difficult to even find food."
She calls on the youth to stop copying negative behavior and focus on hard work and peacebuilding. "Let's abandon imitation and work hard so we can return to our normal lives, where we can move freely and work at any time."
Mr. Abdallah Hussein, a resident of Tabata Kisukuru in Dar es Salaam, emphasizes that violence and killings tear apart the social fabric of communities. "Fear spreads quickly, neighbors begin to distrust each other, and society becomes divided. Children grow up surrounded by fear, leaving deep psychological and social scars that last into adulthood."
Hussein adds that the destruction of property affects every aspect of life. "Businesses shut down, jobs disappear, investors withdraw, and the government loses revenue as the cost of reconstruction rises sharply. This should not be allowed to continue in our country."
On lessons for Tanzanians, Mr. Hussein emphasizes that young people are the strength of the nation and the leaders of tomorrow. "They must understand that real change is achieved through education, dialogue, and perseverance, not violence. They should learn to respect political, religious, and social differences and value unity over division. Tanzania's future depends on youth who choose peace, dignity, and respect for humanity."
Recently, Brigadier General (Rtd) Ambassador Francis Mndolwa appealed to citizens to avoid prolonging political divisions and focus on nation-building. "Everyone must ensure peace prevails so that development projects can be implemented. This responsibility rests on every Tanzanian, wherever they may be."
Drawing on his experience as Tanzania's Ambassador to Burundi, Amb. Mndolwa underscores the importance of citizen participation in maintaining stability. "Achieving peace requires full participation from all citizens because development is impossible where there is disorder."
He further stresses that grievances should be addressed through constitutional channels and constructive political dialogue, not chaos. "No meaningful progress can be achieved through chaos."
On national unity, Amb. Mndolwa urges leaders to stay close to the people. "Leaders should be part of the communities they serve. When citizens are confident their leaders are with them, peace and progress follow. But when leaders distance themselves, unrest becomes inevitable."
He adds that public participation in development initiatives is vital, and citizens should be well-informed about ongoing projects and their benefits. "Renewed commitment to reconciliation, dialogue, and collective discussion from the village level to the national stage is essential to strengthen unity and shared purpose."
Former Tanzanian Ambassador to the African Union and Nigeria, Dr. Msuya Mangachi, emphasizes that while citizens have the right to demand their rights, those rights come with responsibilities. "One cannot claim a right without respecting the procedures and laws that govern its realization. Making demands without following due process often leads to unrest."
So, what's your take on this? Do you agree that peace is a precious commodity that requires collective effort to protect? Or do you think there's a fine line between upholding peace and suppressing legitimate grievances? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
