Without peace, there is no future: A call to every citizen

DAR ES SALAAM: PEACE is the foundation upon which every nation stands. It brings progress, unites people, and protects national interests and the dreams of generations.

When we protect peace, we protect our future, our economy, our harmony and our identity as a nation.

This is a call to every citizen to value unity, reject division and stand together for the Tanzania we believe in. For, without peace, there is no future and with peace, everything becomes possible.

Peace and tranquility are not just ideas; they are the living spirit of human progress and the backbone of every stable nation.

At the individual level, peace produces clarity, justice, compassion and steady behaviour. At the national level, it manifests as unity, harmony and trust among citizens and institutions.

Together, peace and tranquility form the emotional and moral base upon which a nation’s strength is built. A peaceful individual becomes a pillar of stability, while a stable society nurtures lasting peace.

When people choose dialogue over conflict, forgiveness over anger and cooperation over division, the impact spreads from homes to communities and eventually throughout the country. Peace is not the responsibility of leaders alone; it begins with every citizen.

Peace is not simply the absence of war; it is the presence of justice, empathy, respect and responsible governance. When citizens recognise their duties and institutions act fairly, peace becomes sustainable.

It requires the combined will of the government and the people, held together by cooperation, discipline and patriotism. Without peace, visions dim, economies decline and societies lose direction. With peace, nations flourish.

Every citizen, leader and institution must therefore rise as a guardian of harmony, for without peace, there truly is no future. Tanzania was founded on unity, born from the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar on April 26, 1964.

This historic decision created a nation defined by harmony, mutual respect and shared identity, a nation admired globally for its stability. Our cultural diversity enriches us rather than dividing us.

The spirit of socialism (Ujamaa) reminds us that development is meaningful only when everyone benefits. Our independence, our struggles and our victories are all chapters of a shared story built on solidarity.

“In this great future, you can’t forget your past,” Bob Marley once sang. Our peace grows from the roots of our history. Every generation has protected this harmony through dialogue and coexistence.

Its survival today depends on our continued commitment. This peace is our most precious inheritance. It has sustained our nation for over six decades and remains the cornerstone of our progress.

Every citizen must reject division, defend unity and honour the legacy of tranquility that defines Tanzania. The events of October 29, this year, marked a painful moment in our nation’s history.

What began as democratic expression turned into chaos in several cities. Polling stations, shops and fuel depots were damaged; lives were lost; many were injured.

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These tragedies reminded us of how fragile peace becomes when anger replaces dialogue and misinformation overwhelms truth. Our stability is not accidental, it is a result of discipline, unity and the foresight of our founding fathers.

Allowing a few reckless individuals to disrupt this harmony betrays the nation’s core values. Violence destroys what took generations to build, while peace secures the future for our children.

Government, political parties and civil institutions must work together to address the root causes of unrest, not for blame, but to rebuild trust.

Peace demands discipline, forgiveness and resilience. Every Tanzanian must become a messenger of harmony, teaching children the meaning of peace, strengthening dialogue and rejecting divisive narratives. Violence leaves only sorrow; peace brings life. For without peace, there is no future.

Tanzanians must stand together and send a clear message: We are indivisible. Our unity is the strongest answer to those who wish to see us divided. With courage and determination, we will overcome any attempt to destabilise our nation.

We must remain vigilant. Internal and external actors may exploit grievances or spread misinformation to ignite conflict.

Our security agencies must work professionally and lawfully to protect the country without fear, but with preparedness.

The enemy aims to spread terror and set citizens against one another. Political ambitions must never drag the nation into turmoil. Our response must be measured, strategic and rooted in the rule of law.

Attempts to destabilise Tanzania, whether through engineered regime change or manipulation will fail.

Real change must come only through democratic, peaceful and constitutional means.

Every citizen must guard unity, support peace and stand tall for a resilient Tanzania.

Peace and tranquility are the engines of development. They attract investors, promote tourism, create jobs and inspire innovation.

Tanzania’s longstanding peace has allowed us to build institutions, infrastructure, schools and hospitals that serve millions. Conflict destroys in days what took decades to build.

Even a single word of hate can ignite division. That is why grievances must be addressed early and constructively. Peace sustains social harmony, allowing people of different backgrounds to live and work together.

Without it, trust breaks; with it, societies flourish. Maintaining peace is a national duty.

Families must teach tolerance, schools must promote unity, leaders must choose dialogue and the media must inform responsibly.

Religious institutions must preach compassion and dignity. When these forces unite, peace becomes unbreakable.

Our future rests in our collective hands. Through unity and dialogue, Tanzania will continue to grow, prosper and thrive. Peace is the soul of our nation and the shield of our future.

It is not passive; it is a daily responsibility. Our stability is the product of decades of deliberate choices to value unity over division.

True patriotism is shown through actions that protect peace—rejecting manipulative narratives, choosing dialogue over conflict and prioritising national stability. Unity is our most powerful defense.

Let every citizen rise above hatred, embrace compassion and remember that without peace, there is no future.

With peace, Tanzania will continue to shine as a nation of trust, opportunity and hope. Written by Christopher Makwaia.

Tel: +255 789 242 396 The writer is a University of West London graduate and an expert in Management, Leadership, International Business, Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, Security and Political Science.