DAR ES SALAAM: ANALYSTS and security stakeholders have emphasised the critical role of Local Government Authorities (LGAs), including street, village and ward leaders, in advocating for peace among citizens through community rallies, meetings and other initiatives aimed at fostering national tranquility and mutual understanding.
Since LGA leaders, such as Village Executive Officers (VEOs) and Ward Executive Officers (WEOs), are responsible for monitoring day-to-day developments in their localities, analysts expressed confidence in their ability to reach and unite communities.
Speaking to the ‘Daily News’ yesterday, Political Analyst and Economist Dr Isaac Safari, based at Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), urged LGA leaders to leverage their proximity to the people to promote peace.
“Local government leaders, including village chairpersons, WEOs and ward councillors, are close to citizens. They have the advantage of knowing their communities. For example, when it comes to identifying individuals likely to disrupt peace, they can easily notice them,” Dr Safari said.
He added, “They can bring people together and use their authority to advocate for peace. They have the opportunity to convene community meetings for this purpose.”
As a seasoned economist, Dr Safari also noted that economic development and peace go hand in hand. “Investors make investment decisions based on political stability,” he said.
Political Analyst and Sociologist Mr Hamiduni Maliseli, based in Mwanza, called on the central government to provide specialised training for LGA leaders on promoting peace, aiming to equip them with the civic knowledge needed to educate their communities.
Local governance analyst Mr Yonah Mapury urged LGA leaders to continue delivering quality services to citizens as a strategy to prevent public discontent arising from underperformance by some local officials.
He noted that VEOs, WEOs, village chairpersons and ward councillors are the primary supervisors of development projects and social service delivery at the grassroots level, saying that their effective performance can serve as a catalyst for peace and understanding.
At the village level, Mwahango Village Executive Officer (VEO) Mr Emmanuel Chacha said his village in Siginda has been conducting various peace rallies to inform residents about the importance of peaceful coexistence as a foundation for sustainable development.
Mr Chacha said he also engages with other groups, including motorcycle riders, to discuss the significance of peace and responsible citizenship.
As a result, he said, there is currently no threat of unrest in Mwahango Village, and residents continue their daily socio-economic activities without disruption.
Similarly, Mwalogwabagole’s Village Chairperson in Misungwi District, Mr Sosteness Sweke, said peace preservation is central to their village’s performance.
Using a participatory approach, the village engages all residents in promoting peace through community policing and village meetings.
He explained that their village has 12 hamlets, each with a community security commander responsible for advocating peace and collecting any security intelligence that could indicate potential unrest.
This information is addressed by the Village Security Committee in collaboration with the wider community.
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Mr Sweke also emphasised cooperation with ward, district, regional and central government authorities.
Meanwhile, Mwanza Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Wilbroad Mutafungwa, urged citizens during a special meeting with community police leaders, village chairpersons and traditional leaders to avoid divisions along religious, tribal or political lines.
He encouraged them to embrace their identity as Tanzanians as the cornerstone of national unity and development.
He reminded leaders and communities to refrain from actions that could undermine peace and called on them to educate youths and vulnerable groups who may be easily influenced to commit acts threatening public safety.
“The cost of maintaining peace is far lower than restoring it once lost,” DCP Mutafungwa said.
“Do not take our peace for granted. Young people must love their country, abandon negative attitudes, and commit to protecting national interests,” he added.