Peace: TZ remains firm towards election, beyond

DODOMA: AS the 29th October 2025 general election approach, a resonant call is spreading across towns and villages: “Stand Tall Like a Giraffe.”

The message is simple yet powerful, urging every Tanzanian to protect the country’s most treasured asset peace and unity.

In a nation renowned for its stability and tradition of harmonious political engagement, Tanzanians are reminded that the richest inheritance is not found in gold, gas, or mineral wealth, but in the harmony that enables every person to dream, work and live without fear.

The giraffe, Tanzania’s proud national symbol, embodies the qualities most necessary in this moment: vision, foresight, patience and dignity.

Just as the animal surveys the horizon from its towering vantage point and moves through the savanna with deliberate caution, Tanzanians are called to rise above division, engage in dialogue and safeguard the democratic process with care and respect.

Mr Cosmas Bahali, Executive Director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies in Africa (IPCS), told the `Daily News’ that peace is not merely a moral obligation but the foundation of national development.

“Like the giraffe, we must look ahead with clarity and act with caution. Our real treasure is not gold or gas; it is the harmony that allows every Tanzanian to live fully,” he said.

“These elections must strengthen our democracy, not weaken it. Every citizen has a role in ensuring that dialogue, respect and unity guide the process.” Tanzania’s reputation for peaceful political engagement did not emerge by accident.

The country’s journey to independence is a rare example on the African continent of a nation achieving freedom through negotiation and diplomacy rather than armed struggle.

Following World War I, Tanganyika modern day Tanzania transitioned from German to British colonial administration under a League of Nations mandate.

The British were tasked with governing the territory and preparing it for eventual self-rule, but they also sought symbols that could represent Tanganyika in official and international contexts.

The giraffe, or twiga in Swahili, was chosen for its prevalence, calm demeanour and symbolic neutrality.

Unlike predators, whose imagery could imply aggression or conquest, the giraffe represented foresight, vigilance and dignity, qualities the British considered desirable for projecting stability without confrontation.

Under Governor Sir Horace Byatt in the 1920s, the giraffe’s head appeared prominently on the territorial flag, seals, stamps and other government documents, embedding it in the identity of Tanganyika long before independence.

While this choice was initially a colonial imposition, it would later evolve into a symbol of national pride embraced by Tanzanians themselves.

The peaceful path to independence was guided by visionary leadership and a disciplined approach to political engagement.

Julius Kambarage Nyerere, who would become the country’s first president and the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) advocated for non-violence and negotiation.

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Rather than taking up arms, they mobilised citizens through political campaigns, education and grassroots engagement, demonstrating widespread support for self-rule.

TANU educated the population about their rights and the legal and parliamentary reforms necessary for independence.

This strategy of mass mobilisation, combined with careful negotiation, gave Tanganyika a unique position internationally, allowing it to leverage global opinion, including the United Nations Trusteeship system, to press Britain toward a peaceful transition.

The result was independence on 9th December 1961, achieved without the bloodshed that characterised the liberation struggles of many other African nations.

This approach reflected the qualities symbolised by the giraffe: foresight, patience and measured action.

The post-independence period further cemented the giraffe as a symbol of Tanzania’s national identity.

The animal came to represent visionary leadership and the country’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, both internally and in regional diplomacy.

Tanzania played an influential role in supporting liberation movements in neighbouring countries, not through domestic armed struggle, but via political, logistical and diplomatic support.

The giraffe, once a colonial emblem, had been transformed into a symbol of national pride, representing the values that guided the country through its formative years: patience, strategic foresight and an unwavering commitment to peace.

Today, as Tanzania approaches another general election, the lessons of history remain as relevant as ever.

Citizens are called upon to emulate the giraffe, rising above political divisions and engaging in respectful dialogue

. All citizens are urged to ensure that campaigns remain peaceful and that every Tanzanian can exercise their democratic rights safely and freely.

Authorities have reinforced their commitment to free and fair elections, encouraging citizens to report any incidents of unrest and to cooperate fully with the National Electoral Commission.

The emphasis is on constructive participation rather than confrontation and on dialogue rather than division. The symbolism of the giraffe is particularly poignant in this context.

Its long neck and vigilant gaze remind citizens to look beyond immediate differences and consider the broader horizon the future of the nation.

Its calm and deliberate movements suggest the importance of measured action, patience and the avoidance of rash decisions.

In essence, the giraffe is not merely an animal; it is a reminder of the enduring values that have guided Tanzania through colonial rule, independence and the decades of nation-building that followed.

Tanzania’s path contrasts sharply with many other African nations where independence was achieved through armed conflict, leaving legacies of division and instability.

In Tanganyika, political mobilisation, negotiation and diplomacy allowed citizens to unite behind a shared vision of self-rule.

Leaders cultivated a culture of dialogue, where grievances were addressed through political channels rather than violence.

This foundation of unity and cooperation has contributed to the country’s stability over decades, earning both regional and global recognition.

As the election draws near, the call to “Stand Tall Like a Giraffe” resonates across the nation, urging every citizen to act with dignity, wisdom and foresight.

The giraffe, once a colonial symbol of administrative prudence, now stands as a national icon of peace, vision and resilience.

Tanzanians are reminded that elections are not only a democratic exercise but also an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of national unity.

The future of the nation depends not on fleeting political victories but on the enduring commitment to dialogue, respect and harmony.

In every town and village, from the bustling streets of Dar es Salaam to the remote savannas of the north, citizens are called to emulate the giraffe’s qualities.

Campaigns should remain civil, rhetoric measured and participation inclusive. The real wealth of Tanzania lies not in material resources but in the harmony that allows every citizen to live without fear and contribute to national development.

As Cosmas Bahali emphasises, this harmony is fragile and requires constant care: “Stand tall like the giraffe, value peace and unity as Tanzania’s richest inheritance and keep the nation’s banner of harmony flying high for generations to come.”

The lessons of history, from colonial administration to peaceful independence and post-colonial nation-building, converge in this single message.

By embracing the wisdom, patience and vision symbolised by the giraffe, Tanzanians can ensure that elections remain a testament to the country’s enduring legacy of peace, democracy and national unity.

In doing so, the nation not only honours its past but secures a future where harmony, dignity and foresight continue to guide its path forward.