Relief as Tanzanians are firmly united under a peace and harmony umbrella  

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA, is peaceful and firmly united, heading to the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of the glorious union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar on April 26, 2026.

The 62nd anniversary of the United Republic of Tanzania comes five months after the country’s peace and harmony were threatened by the October 29’ General Elections’ violence, whose scars can still be seen in areas like Ubungo, Kimara(Gaza), and Kinyerezi, in the Dar es Salaam region.

Tanzanians now understand the real meaning of peace and harmony after the October 29 unrest.

Peace has been described as the bedrock of family stability, economic growth and national progress, with citizens warning that any disruption not only destroys livelihoods but also leaves lasting social scars.

In an interview with the Kinyerezi residents, one among the areas deeply affected by the October 29 unrest, various residents raised their voices urging youth and citizens in general to uphold peace for their economic stability, growth, as well as their society.

One of the residents, businessman and public servant, Antidius Silas, said peace plays a critical role across all levels of society, from the household to the national economy.

“A peaceful environment allows families to grow and maintain strong relationships, which builds unity at the household level, economically, peace attracts investment and supports business growth, as investors prefer stable and secure areas,” he said.

Additionally, he said that at the national level, peace enables the effective implementation of development policies, strengthens infrastructure development and fosters unity among citizens—an essential ingredient for collective progress.

Mr Silas further emphasised the role of youth in preserving peace, urging them to actively embrace national values.

“Youth should engage in community activities, participate in peace education and understand the importance of cooperation and tolerance. They also need to learn from the country’s history and past challenges to fully appreciate the value of peace,” he stated.

Moreover, he stressed the role of social media, saying it can be a powerful tool if used responsibly, while encouraging the youth to spread messages of peace and contribute to building a cohesive society.

On ways to address grievances without resorting to violence, Silas highlighted dialogue, legal systems and civic awareness as key pathways.

“Constructive engagement between parties is essential to reach consensus,” he said.

Primary school teacher at Kibaga, Oliver Msangi, said recent incidents of unrest have had devastating consequences for many families, leaving behind grief, hardship and long-term uncertainty.

Msangi added that the loss extends beyond families to the nation at large, noting that youth, including university students, were among those affected.

“These were individuals who could have become future leaders, entrepreneurs, industrialists and skilled professionals. Losing them means losing part of the nation’s workforce and potential,” he said.

Ms Oliver urged youth to learn from past experiences and emulate the approaches used by national leaders in resolving conflicts.

“The truth is, dialogue and mutual understanding are key. When conflicts arise, leaders have always prioritised discussions and listening to all sides,” she said.

Msangi stressed that demanding rights should never involve destruction or violence.

“The best way is to express your concerns, engage leaders and allow time for responses. Violence, destruction of property and confrontation only worsen the situation,” she said.

Fruit vendor from Kinyerezi, Festus Mhagama, echoed similar sentiments, saying peace is directly tied to daily survival, particularly for small-scale traders.

“Without peace, there is no development—whether in families or the nation, because we all depend on each other,” he said.

He added, “As a trader, my business is what feeds and educates my children. If unrest occurs, I cannot go to the market, I earn nothing and yet basic needs remain.”

He noted that instability often leads to rising prices of essential goods, further straining already fragile household incomes.

“You may be forced to stay home, businesses close and even accessing food becomes difficult because prices shoot up. All this happens simply because peace is disrupted,” he said.

Mhagama warned that violence and destruction undermine years of progress, including infrastructure development and social services that citizens depend on.

“You see a country making great strides, roads being built, children going to school safely, then suddenly people start destroying those same developments. It pushes us backwards,” he said.

Furthermore, he stressed the need to better guide and educate the younger generation, noting that many have grown up in relatively stable conditions and may not fully understand the sacrifices made to achieve that stability.

“This generation needs to be taught and guided. They have grown up seeing progress and may not realise the effort and wisdom that went into building it,” he said. “Not every problem is solved through anger, violence or conflict.”

The citizens collectively agreed that dialogue, adherence to the rule of law and civic education remain the most effective means of resolving disputes, emphasising that safeguarding peace is a shared responsibility crucial for sustainable national development.