Govt trains 2,200 local leaders in alternative dispute resolution

RUVUMA: THE Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs has initiated a training programme on alternative dispute resolution that has already benefited 2,200 local leaders from 11 wards of Songea district in Ruvuma region.

The training was launched yesterday in the district by the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Damas Ndumbaro.

He said the programme is expected to benefit other local leaders from many areas in other regions.

Speaking at the opening of the training, Dr Ndumbaro said the Ministry has begun providing the training with the aim of ending conflicts so that the leaders can use the knowledge they gain to resolve conflicts through alternative means.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for agreeing to provide this important training on alternative dispute resolution, you will also be provided with education on good governance and gender-based violence”, said Dr Ndumbaro.

The Minister added that the training will also help to resolve various legal disputes that arise and those raised during Mama Samia’s Legal Aid Campaign.

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Dr Ndumbaro said that apart from conflict resolution, the leaders will also be provided with civic education and good governance, gender equality education and education about the General Election.

One of the beneficiaries of the training, Mr Swaleh Mayonjo said the training has increased his legal understanding in serving the citizens he leads.

He said that he will use the training to ensure that he educates his colleagues on the best way to resolve the challenges of conflicts which he said do not necessarily have to go to court.

He said that alternative dispute resolution is a good thing as it will help reduce the backlog of cases in court as they will be resolved at the local levels.

“We are pleased with this training because it has come at the right time. These 2,200 local leaders will use this opportunity to provide education to the citizens about the importance of maintaining peace and it will be beneficial to many citizens,” he said.