DAR ES SALAAM: AS Tanzania marks its 63rd anniversary of independence, academics and analysts are celebrating the country’s remarkable achievements in fostering peace and its significant role in socio-economic and political transformation.
Since gaining independence, peace has remained a core pillar of the nation’s development and has been instrumental in driving progress.
Experts have emphasised the importance of every citizen in preserving peace and called on the government to continue utilising the country’s abundant resources to improve the livelihoods of Tanzanians and further boost economic growth.
Looking ahead, they suggest that Tanzania’s prosperity is reliant on continued peace, national unity, investment in human capital development, hard work, patriotism, clean politics, good governance and the effective management of the nation’s natural resources.
Renowned academician, Professor Costa Mahalu, shared his thoughts in an interview with ‘Daily News’ over the weekend.
He praised Tanzania’s enduring peace, attributing much of this to the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who led the country to independence through peaceful means.
“Since gaining independence in 1961, our country has maintained peace, which is a significant achievement. Mwalimu Nyerere worked tirelessly to eliminate tribalism and unite all Tanzanians to preserve peace,” Amb Mahalu said.
He noted that while other African nations gained independence through armed struggle, Tanzania stood out for its peaceful transition.
“In 63 years, peace has prevailed and we, as Tanzanians, are proud of it. Independence is peace,” he emphasised.
Prof Mahalu reflected on how Nyerere’s efforts to dismantle tribalism set Tanzania apart from other countries that failed to address similar divisions, which led to ongoing political unrest in many African nations.
He urged Tanzanians to continue embracing peace by rejecting self-interests, such as power struggles that could lead to division and conflict.
He also stressed the importance of peace as the foundation for future prosperity.
“The present generation, including the government, political parties and citizens, should prioritise peace as the blueprint for a unified and prosperous future,” Prof Mahalu stated.
Prof Mahalu called on political parties to focus on policies that promote collective development rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.
“All parties should have socio-economic and political policies that protect our historical peace,” he said.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Prof Mahalu, who was 13 years old when Tanzania gained independence, emphasised that the country’s progress depends on the hard work of all its citizens, underpinned by peace.
He pointed out that independence unlocked numerous economic opportunities, which continue to shape the nation’s growth to date.
On his part, an economist and the Founding Director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam, Professor Humphrey Moshi, noted that Tanzania has made significant strides economically.
The country has progressed from being a low-income economy to reaching low-middle income status.
However, he stressed that more work remains to be done for the country to achieve upper-middle-income and eventually high-income status.
Prof Moshi identified modernisation of agriculture, industrialisation and human capital development as key drivers for continued economic growth.
He highlighted the shift from rain-fed to irrigated agriculture as crucial for food security and poverty reduction, emphasising that industrialisation will help reduce dependency on imported goods such as fertilisers and medicine.
To reach upper-middle-income status, Prof Moshi suggested that Tanzania’s economy needs to grow by at least 10 per cent, moving beyond the single-digit growth seen in the past six decades.
He also recommended greater focus on renewable energy sources like solar and wind to meet the country’s electricity needs.
In terms of technological development, Prof Moshi advocated for continued partnerships with countries like China, which has transformed into a global economic powerhouse.
He also emphasised the importance of prioritising Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to ensure that Tanzania’s education system meets global market demands.
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“Without peace, there is no development in any country,” Prof Moshi said, reiterating the inseparable link between peace and progress.
An Economic Diplomacy Expert at the University of Arusha, Professor Kitojo Wetengere, reflected on how Tanzania’s economy has evolved since independence.
He credited successive leaders for their contributions, starting with Mwalimu Nyerere, whose policies aimed at making Tanzanians benefit from their own economy.
“When we gained independence, we inherited a colonial economy controlled by foreigners, primarily based on agriculture with little industrial activity. Mwalimu Nyerere recognised the need for Tanzanians to control their own economy, which led to the Arusha Declaration of 1967,” Prof Wetengere explained.
He noted that each subsequent president contributed to the country’s development. The late President Ali Hassan Mwinyi’s economic reforms opened up trade, while the late President Benjamin Mkapa attracted foreign investment and improved industrial development.
President Jakaya Kikwete focused on economic growth and the late President John Magufuli prioritised industrialisation and infrastructure development.
Prof Wetengere also praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for advancing the tourism sector, which has become a significant foreign exchange earner for the country.
He said that poverty has decreased significantly since independence, with around 20 per cent of Tanzanians currently living in poverty, down from nearly half in 1961.
He also noted the progress made in education, with the number of universities, schools and vocational institutions increasing significantly.
Political analyst, Mr Hamiduni Maliseli, reflected on Tanzania’s political evolution, noting the shift from limited electoral choices at independence to the current multiparty system.
He pointed out that the country’s political system has matured, with free and fair elections and a peaceful transfer of power.
“We’ve come a long way politically. From basic elections to a multiparty democracy, Tanzania has demonstrated a deliberate effort to strengthen democracy,” Mr Maliseli said.
He also praised Tanzania’s unique political tradition, where leaders peacefully hand over power without unrest or coups. “Tanzania is seen as a beacon of peace in Africa and globally,” he added.
Lawyer and political analyst, Mr Yonah Mapury, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Tanzania’s diplomatic success, particularly its role in promoting peace in Africa.
He credited the country’s standing in international relations to the legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere, who championed the liberation of African nations.
Mr Mapury also emphasised Tanzania’s efforts to empower women in leadership roles, a marked contrast to earlier periods when female representation was minimal.
An economist Dr Isaac Safari, based in Mwanza, argued that in the era of globalisation and neo-colonialism, Tanzania must continue to have the freedom to determine how it uses its resources, as envisioned by Mwalimu Nyerere.
He also insisted the importance of owning technology in the digital age, warning that over-dependence on innovation from other countries could lead to a new form of colonialism.
