Stakeholders back national cohesion efforts
DAR ES SALAAM: POLITICAL stakeholders, leaders and members of the international community yesterday emphasised dialogue, reconciliation and inclusive engagement as key to strengthening democracy, rebuilding public trust and preserving national peace following the 2025 General Election.
The emphasis emerged during the opening of a two-day national conference organised by the Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD), bringing together representatives of political parties, government, civil society organisations, religious institutions, academia and development partners to reflect on the country’s political situation after the election and discuss the way forward.
Retired Prime Minister and retired Judge Joseph Warioba said that despite differences among political parties, there must be agreement on fundamental national interests, particularly the preservation of peace and stability, patriotism and accountability.
“Political parties should unite citizens rather than deepen divisions,” he said.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Nicola Brennan, said democratic societies become stronger when political leaders and citizens exchange views openly, confront challenges and collectively seek solutions.
“Meetings such as this one are invaluable for the space they create for all perspectives to be heard and for common ground to be identified,” she said.
Ms Brennan said events surrounding the 2025 General Election had been painful for many Tanzanians, resulting in loss of life, injuries and significant social and economic consequences.
Drawing on Ireland’s experience of the conflict in Northern Ireland, she said reconciliation was not a single event but a continuous process requiring patience, trust-building, inclusion and sustained commitment.
“Trust can be rebuilt and democratic institutions can be strengthened when there is a genuine commitment to dialogue and reform,” she said.
Switzerland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Nicole Providoli, also underscored the value of open and inclusive engagement, saying dialogue helps build trust and deepen mutual understanding.
“National cohesion is best achieved when the different views within society are heard and considered and when constructive, peaceful and respectful exchanges can take place,” she said.
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Registrar of Political Parties Judge Francis Mutungi urged participants to approach the discussions with openness and a willingness to listen to one another rather than engaging in blame.
“We should not come here to blame one another or point fingers and search for who is at fault,” he said.
He added that the broad representation at the conference demonstrated that, despite differing views, stakeholders shared a common interest in the country’s future.
Chairperson of the Political Parties Council, Mr Juma Ali Khatib, said the discussions provided an opportunity for Tanzanians to reflect on the election period and identify ways of strengthening national cohesion.
“What happened has happened and we all saw it. It did not make us happy. I think this is the right time for us, as Tanzanians, to sit together and discuss the best way forward so that what happened does not happen again,” he said.
TCD Chairperson Ms Dorothy Semu said the conference provided stakeholders with an opportunity to reflect on Tanzania’s democratic journey, learn from past experiences and explore ways of strengthening democracy, peace and national cohesion.
The conference was attended by representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, academia and religious institutions.
