When wisdom prevails over anger, peace and unity endure for co-existence

DODOMA: TANZANIA ushered in a new chapter in its political journey with the election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the October 29 General Election.

Soon after taking the oath of office in the capital, Dodoma, President Samia’s message was clear and resolute: Wisdom must prevail over anger if the nation is to safeguard its hard-earned peace, unity and development.

In her first national address after the polls, the President delivered a powerful and heartfelt message aimed at preserving Tanzania’s longstanding reputation as a beacon of peace- a call for citizens to embrace wisdom over anger as the foundation of the country’s stability and progress.

Her appeal came at a time when the nation was emerging from a heated election period, reaffirming her leadership and testing the maturity of the country’s democracy.

“I urge Tanzanians to choose wisdom over anger, understanding over emotion, love over hatred, patience over resentment, unity over division and peace over conflict,” said Dr Samia.

Her words resonated not merely as a political statement but as a moral reflection- a reminder that the soul of a nation rests on its ability to remain calm and rational even in moments of uncertainty.

President Samia’s message was not only important, but also firm and nurturing, appealing to reason and restraint at a time when isolated incidents of post-election unrest threatened to cloud the country’s hard-earned stability.

While pockets of violence were reported in the commercial city of Dar es Salaam, and a few upcountry regions the President responded with a deeper appeal for understanding and self-control.

“Anger has never built a nation,” she said. “It only destroys the peace that generations before us worked so hard to preserve.”

President Samia’s focus on wisdom reflects a leadership approach informed by emotional intelligence, a quality scholars recognise as important for effective governance.

Psychologist Daniel Goleman notes that leaders benefit from combining intellect with the ability to manage emotions, demonstrate empathy and make measured decisions.

In her address, the President conveyed a calm tone and emphasised the importance of stability at a time of heightened emotions.

She highlighted that peace is an active condition requiring discipline, dialogue and restraint.

By urging citizens to “solve problems with maturity,” she underscored the value of thoughtful decisionmaking in preserving national unity.

The late Prof Ali Mazrui once wrote that “African progress will depend on our ability to reconcile the passion of politics with the discipline of reason.”

President Samia’s message inarguably captured that balance — acknowledging legitimate frustrations while cautioning against the destructive power of anger.

Throughout Tanzania’s history, wisdom has been one of its most enduring resources. From the founding ideals of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere to the contemporary principles of dialogue and reform, Tanzanians have learned that true strength lies not in confrontation but in collective understanding.

In her address, President Samia reinforced that tradition. She called on Tanzanians to see beyond temporary political differences and focus on the larger mission of development.

Dr Samia’s 4Rs philosophy -Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding encapsulates this vision, urging citizens to work together toward recovery and progress rather than division.

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By linking wisdom to development, the President drew attention to the intimate relationship between peace and prosperity. Economic stability, foreign investment and social progress all depend on a nation’s ability to remain united and rational in moments of tension.

As she reminded the public, dialogue and restraint are not signs of weakness but the true markers of national maturity.

By choosing restraint, President Samia reaffirmed Tanzania’s image as an island of stability in an often-turbulent region, a nation guided by intellect, not impulse.

President Samia’s appeal is a challenge to the country’s younger generation to think before reacting, to rebuild trust where it has been strained, and to protect peace as the foundation of prosperity. Her reminder that “wisdom allows us to reconcile when there is conflict” speaks to every level of society from political leaders and public servants to youths and families.

It echoes the wisdom of Nelson Mandela, who once said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

As the nation begins a new chapter in its democratic journey, the President’s message serves as both guide and reminder: that wisdom, rather than anger, is essential for safeguarding the nation’s peace, stability and long-term progress.