Analysts commend Tanzania for rise in global peace index ranking

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has been praised by analysts for emerging as the most peaceful country in the East African Community (EAC), according to the newly released Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 report.

However, they also believe the country deserves an even higher ranking based on its track record in maintaining peace and stability.

The report, published recently by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), ranks Tanzania 73rd out of 163 countries globally in terms of peacefulness.

Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Dr Adam Mnyavanu, an expert in public administration and governance from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), noted that Tanzania’s position underrepresents its accomplishments.

“Tanzania deserves a higher ranking, considering how it has successfully provided a peaceful environment that allows citizens to engage in social and economic activities across the country,” Dr Mnyavanu said.

He said that Tanzania’s achievements go beyond avoiding military conflict, extending to food, education and healthcare security, key indicators of peace that should have further elevated its global standing.

He urged Tanzanians to continue fostering peace as a foundation for national well-being and economic growth. “We need to continue strengthening our peace in order to grow our economy,” he added.

Dr Mnyavanu attributed Tanzania’s ongoing peacefulness to effective governance from grassroots to national leadership, which ensures stability and harmony for all citizens.

Political analyst Mr Hamiduni Maliseli echoed similar sentiments, saying that the Global Peace Index may have undervalued Tanzania’s peace status due to the metrics used in the assessment.

“The issue lies in how the report defines peace. I believe their criteria are too narrow. Tanzania should be among the top peaceful countries in the world,” he said.

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The GPI assesses peace based on three core pillars: Societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarisation.

Mr Hamiduni encouraged the government to continue promoting justice and called on citizens to respect state institutions.

He also urged the public to pursue justice through peaceful means. In this year’s rankings, Tanzania outperformed all EAC member states – Rwanda positioned at 91st, Uganda (113th), Kenya (127th), Burundi (133rd), Somalia (151st), South Sudan (156th) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at 160th slot.

Despite maintaining a strong regional position, Tanzania dropped eight spots globally from last year’s ranking of 65th.

In the Sub-Saharan Africa region, which includes 44 countries, Tanzania ranked 12th. The countries ahead of Tanzania in the regional rankings include Mauritius, Botswana, Namibia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Ghana, Zambia, Senegal, Liberia and Malawi. Mauritius retained its title as the most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa for the 18th consecutive year.

In contrast, the DRC was ranked as both the least peaceful country in the region and the one with the largest deterioration in peace.

According to the 2025 Global Peace Index, the world is considerably less peaceful now than in 2008. The average level of peacefulness has declined by 5.4 per cent over that period.

“Since 2008, some 94 countries have become less peaceful, compared to only 66 that have improved,” the report noted.