Peace, unity fortified
DODOMA: THE Ministry of Defence and National Service has made significant strides over the past four years in ensuring national security, strengthening defence diplomacy and participating in various peace missions and strategic partnerships.
During the four years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan leadership, the ministry has also safeguarded Tanzania’s core values, which are peace, unity and stability by reinforcing national cohesion.
Minister for Defence and National Service, Dr Stergomena Tax told reporters yesterday in Dodoma that the ministry, through its institutions, has successfully engaged effectively with friendly nations on defence and security, including military training, technical assistance and provision of equipment.
“We all witness the prevailing peace and stability in the country. These do not come by accident. There is deliberate work being done to protect them and these are key national assets,” she said.
The minister pointed out that Tanzania has strengthened its collaboration with international and regional organisations such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC).
She said these partnerships have facilitated training programmes, expert exchanges and joint operations, thereby enhancing the country’s defence capabilities.
“These achievements are largely due to President Samia’s commitment to strengthening diplomacy including defence diplomacy. Recently, we witnessed how some external elements attempted to disrupt our peace, but thanks to solid diplomatic ties, even their own governments distanced themselves from their actions and stood by Tanzania,” she explained.
Dr Tax also highlighted technological research achievements made by the ministry through its institutions, including the development of an elephantrepellent bomb and prototypes of light utility armoured vehicles, in partnership with entities like TAWIRI, COSTECH and TIRDO.
These innovations, she said, have not only helped reduce human-wildlife conflicts but also lowered government costs on imports and boosted local manufacturing capacity for military and civil use.
The government has also revitalised military-owned public institutions such as the Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre (TATC – Nyumbu) and MZINGA Corporation, expanding infrastructure, workshops and the production of key military and agricultural tools.
She said the government has continued to strengthen the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) by increasing its budget to enhance operational capacity through the provision of modern equipment, tools and support for training and military exercises.
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“We encountered challenges along our border with Mozambique, which required us to secure our territory. In such instances, our military must be fully prepared to carry out its duties,” she said.
She added: “Tanzania has participated in several regional peacekeeping missions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where operations concluded recently.
Whenever funds were needed, they were allocated. Where equipment was required, it was procured. This clearly demonstrates President Samia’s commitment to ensuring that our national defence remains strong and uncompromised,” she stressed.
Dr Tax cited missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic, Lebanon and Mozambique under SADC’s SAMIM initiative, noting that the latter concluded in July 2024. Tanzania’s contribution to the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC) also ended in March 2025.
According to her, the notable successes recorded in the defence sector are a reflection of President Samia’s visionary leadership not only as the Commander-in-Chief but also as the Chairperson of SADC’s Politics, Defence and Security Organ.
“The peaceful environment we enjoy has allowed citizens to focus on economic development without fear. That is a fundamental contribution to national progress,” she affirmed.
Over the past four years, she said, TPDF has conducted several local and international training and readiness exercises aimed at strengthening operational preparedness.
These include Shared ACCORD (2020) held in Rwanda, Beach Landing Operation (2020) at Mapinga, Bagamoyo, JCET (2021) at Kunduchi, Readiness Exercises (2022–2023) across Zanzibar, Lindi, Ruvuma and Tabora and multilateral exercises such as Transend, Amphibious, Amani Umoja 2024, Africa India Key Maritime Engagement 2025 (AIKEYME 2025) and CUTLASS EXPRESS, which involved 14 countries and was hosted by Tanzania.
The minister further revealed that between 2021 and 2025, JKT trained a total of 143,863 youths under mandatory service, including 100,625 males and 43,238 females, as well as 46,196 voluntary trainees among them 14,354 women forming part of the Reserve Force.
Moreover, 55,790 youths (47,863 males and 7,927 females) were trained in auxiliary security matters across all regions, strengthening the reserve force and promoting national unity.
On the agricultural front, Dr Tax said the ministry, through JKT, has implemented the Agriculture Strategy (2019/2020– 2024/2025), aiming to boost food production and reduce the government’s cost of feeding JKT trainees while contributing to national food security.
Another major success under President Samia’s administration has been conflict resolution she said through the Land Conflict Resolution Plan (2020/21–2024/25), the Ministry resolved 80 land disputes by demarcating 263 areas, issuing titles to 143 parcels and conducting assessments and compensation in 61 areas, totalling 54.13bn/-.
