Regional peace committees vital for national security, says PM

DAILY NEWS Reporter in Dodoma

THE Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa.

THE Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, has directed the formation of regional peace committees -- to uphold peace and harmony in the country. He issued the directives in Dodoma on Wednesday when addressing religious leaders in the region, including the elderly, at the special iftar he had hosted for them at his residence.

He recognised the peace and harmony existing in the capital city-designate, attributing it to the cooperation and good relations between Muslim and Christian leaders and the presence of a peace committee.

“I have realised that the harmony and peace existing here is due to the committee for peace, which has got capable leaders. We all know that the major work for religious leaders is to offer spiritual and moral guidance to their followers,” he noted.

The Premier said there were many countries that wished to have the peace and harmony Tanzania enjoys but are still faced with turmoil and do not have an idea if they will wake up safe the next day.

We, on the other hand, are 99 per cent sure that we will wake up safe tomorrow due to the peace and harmony we enjoy,” he told the iftar gathering. Regions that have established committees for peace are Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Geita, Dodoma, Arusha, Lindi, Mtwara, Tanga and Mbeya.

Touching on the recent killings in several regions in the country, the prime minister called on Tanzanians to condemn such happenings, expressing his disbelief that the atrocities were done by Tanzanians brought up in the basis of religion.

“I don’t believe that a young person brought up believing in God under Islam or Christianity can enter a mosque or church and kill people who are praying... we must condemn this collectively,” he stressed.

On his part, the Acting Dodoma Regional Sheikh, Ahmed Said, told the Premier that they have been praying for him, President John Magufuli, and Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan in their endeavour to bring development to Tanzania. “We will continue to pray for our country for God to maintain peace, love and harmony in our country,” he stressed.

Retired Prime Minister Mr John Malecela, who was among the invited guests, urged religious leaders to continue praying for government leaders and, most especially, for peace and harmony. Bishop of the Central Diocese of the Mennonite Church of Tanzania, Amos Muhagachi, said his region was enjoying peace and harmony because religious leaders work very closely.

“Bishop and sheikhs in Dodoma Region have very good relations and currently, Muslim and Christian youth religious leaders are emulating such relationship,” he explained. Meanwhile, the defence and security of the country rely on effective participation of every citizen in volunteering information that can help to track the criminals, Mr Majaliwa said here yesterday.

The premier said information from members of the public is very helpful in boosting the ability of the country’s defence and security agencies to combat crime. Fielding questions from MPs, Mr Majaliwa warned that leaving security issues to the state organs alone is not healthy for the country’s security.

“Our (defence and security) organs rely on information from law abiding citizens... let our people come close with the defence and security committees at their areas,” urged the premier.

Answering the question by Mr Musa Sima (Singida Urban-CCM), who wanted to know whether it was not high time MPs became members of the defence and security committees in their areas, the premier said the committees’ members were constitutionally identified as heads of defence and security agencies in their respective areas.

“Unfortunately, MPs are political representatives of the people who head none of the security organs,” said Mr Majaliwa, adding, however, that the lawmakers are free to give their advice to the committees whenever they deem fit. Meanwhile, the government has embarked on ambitious strategies to promote Kiswahili language nationally and internationally as a source of employment for Tanzanians.

Mr Majaliwa, answering the question by Zainabu Vulu (Special Seats-CCM), who wanted to know the government strategy to promote the national language, said almost all universities in the country have Kiswahili faculties that train language experts for export.

“We want more Tanzanians to go out to teach Kiswahili... already we have Kiswahili teachers in Burundi, Rwanda, United Kingdom, France and China,” he said, noting the rapid expansion of the language.