Journalist, Beda Msimbe shares in his blog a discussion he and fellow journalist, Atilio Tagalile, recently had in Morogoro and Mbeya, about the "Potential sources of conflicts in Tanzania"
The change of scenario in Tanzania from a peaceful existence to one characterized by a series of volatile situations has its source in a number of issues:
Resource-basedconflicts, which in Tanzania have appeared in various forms. The firstform emerges from the perception of the marginalization and exclusion of parts of the country in the sharing of national resources. The Mtwara gas saga offers a good example of such conflicts: in early 2013 Mtwara residents took to the streets, demanding that the gas being drilled in their region should first and foremost benefit the residents of the area. The demonstrations became violent and fatal, leaving in its wake loss of life and limb as well as destruction of property.
The second form of conflict is seen in communities that feel that there is an unequal and unfair sharing of national resources. The mining sector offers a good example: in regions where mining takes place, there have been endless clashes between
The change of scenario in Tanzania from a peaceful existence to one characterized by a series of volatile situations has its source in a number of issues:
Resource-basedconflicts, which in Tanzania have appeared in various forms. The firstform emerges from the perception of the marginalization and exclusion of parts of the country in the sharing of national resources. The Mtwara gas saga offers a good example of such conflicts: in early 2013 Mtwara residents took to the streets, demanding that the gas being drilled in their region should first and foremost benefit the residents of the area. The demonstrations became violent and fatal, leaving in its wake loss of life and limb as well as destruction of property.
The second form of conflict is seen in communities that feel that there is an unequal and unfair sharing of national resources. The mining sector offers a good example: in regions where mining takes place, there have been endless clashes between
small-scale miners and big mining companies. Another example relates to the frequent clashes between farmers and pastoralists competing for land, especially in areas experiencing scarcity of pasture and water. These skirmishes have resulted in the loss of many lives in Morogoro, Mbeya, Iringa, Manyara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Coast regions.
The third form revolves around competition for arable land: land grabs and dubious land acquisitions by the rich have complicated longstanding inequalities and indigenous competition for access and control over natural resources. The clashes between farmers and pastoralists are again part of this, as farmers fight for arable land on which the pastoralists graze livestock.
Human rights violation and demographic governance: though a multiparty democracy, Tanzania continues to be challenged by the expression of democracy. Democracy is not only about elections. The degree of freedom with which citizens can speak out and take part in public affairs is also important. Disregarding this freedom can easily spark off violence. This has occasionally been witnessed when police deny political parties permission to hold demonstrations. People become defiant, upon which police find an excuse to beat, teargas and arrest people. Conflicts between police and civilians are sometimes a consequence of human rights violations, with people deciding to fight back when they feel that their rights have been violated by law-enforcement officials. In some cases this has cost lives.
Political factors are also a common source of conflict in Tanzania. The factors are considered critical in escalating conflict and violence and they include ideological differences and orientations, manifestos, funding and structures.
Political factors, which also include political competitions especially during election periods, are also a threat to peace in Tanzania.
In their effort to mobilize as many supporters as possible, political leaders or their agents tend to trigger incidents of violence that pit their supporters and those of rival parties as has been the case in some regions both on the Mainland and Zanzibar.
Some political parties can trigger intra-party conflicts with far reaching implications, not only to party supporters but also to the otherwise neutral citizens. Political leaders, through their speeches and the loyalty from supporters, may spur conflict initially with rival leaders, eventually spilling over to supporters within a given community.
Religious factors also threaten peace in Tanzania, for beliefs play a major role in determining interpersonal, intercommunity and international relations. Religious conflict may occur due to various factors.
Mainstream faith traditions have fundamental doctrinal teachings and followers are expected to abide by them in belief and practice. Conflict may occur when, for example, the progressives or those who want changes or are in favour of a new way of looking at faith issues clash with conservatives or a group that is too orthodox and opposed to any changes that might affect the way they look/perceive faith to be.
This could create hatred between the two camps which may escalate into conflict and spill over to even those who are not members of these camps.
Perceiving one religion to be superior of inferior to another can cause tensions in communities that had previously lived harmoniously and respecting others' religious beliefs. Such tension can escalate into conflict which could degenerate into a violent situation that may cost of lives.
Lack of legal safeguards and people taking law into their own hands also threaten peace in Tanzania. Cases where law-enforcement officials and civilians kill each other are slowly but surely becoming a feature of life in the country. An example of this is March 24, 2013, where motorists killed a policeman in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region. Newspaper reports said the killing was an act of revenge for the death of a motorist allegedly caused by a traffic police officer. There have been numerous such incidents pitting the police against civilians.
Violence against women and children constitutes some of the worst and most common forms of structural oppression in Tanzania. Activists from non-governmental organizations are actively campaigning for women and children rights. The bottom line is that no nation can claim to be harmonious while some groups within the society are mistreated by others.
Unresolved grievances of the past are also a common source of conflict. Complaints from some sections of the Muslim community about the dissolution of their association in the 1960s by founding president Mwalimu Julius Nyerere keep surfacing, sometimes covertly and at other times overtly, with the "aggrieved" or the "disgruntled" seeking redress. The major complaint is that rather than recognize the religious association, the government sponsored the formation of a national association. This has become a source of friction between some Muslims and has spilled over to other social interests in society, causing instability.
Unequal share and participation in the economic development is another cause of conflict in Tanzania. This has resulted in unemployment, itself a sure threat to peace. There has been no tangible solution to the problem of youth unemployment, a situation which has led to a rise in the number and prevalence of youth gangs in both urban and rural areas. These youth now look for every possible chance to loot, thus becoming a threat to business owners. As expected, this creates a situation of both fear and hate between one group and another in any given community. Such a situation can easily escalate into a volatile situation.
Peace, once the pride of Tanzania, is being threatened and every effort must be made to prevent further deterioration of the situation. Journalists have a crucial role to play here. In all the above situations, and others that may arise, the media ought to truly stand as the communication channel between the contending sides through truth and the promotion of a peaceful coexistence.
The third form revolves around competition for arable land: land grabs and dubious land acquisitions by the rich have complicated longstanding inequalities and indigenous competition for access and control over natural resources. The clashes between farmers and pastoralists are again part of this, as farmers fight for arable land on which the pastoralists graze livestock.
Human rights violation and demographic governance: though a multiparty democracy, Tanzania continues to be challenged by the expression of democracy. Democracy is not only about elections. The degree of freedom with which citizens can speak out and take part in public affairs is also important. Disregarding this freedom can easily spark off violence. This has occasionally been witnessed when police deny political parties permission to hold demonstrations. People become defiant, upon which police find an excuse to beat, teargas and arrest people. Conflicts between police and civilians are sometimes a consequence of human rights violations, with people deciding to fight back when they feel that their rights have been violated by law-enforcement officials. In some cases this has cost lives.
Political factors are also a common source of conflict in Tanzania. The factors are considered critical in escalating conflict and violence and they include ideological differences and orientations, manifestos, funding and structures.
Political factors, which also include political competitions especially during election periods, are also a threat to peace in Tanzania.
In their effort to mobilize as many supporters as possible, political leaders or their agents tend to trigger incidents of violence that pit their supporters and those of rival parties as has been the case in some regions both on the Mainland and Zanzibar.
Some political parties can trigger intra-party conflicts with far reaching implications, not only to party supporters but also to the otherwise neutral citizens. Political leaders, through their speeches and the loyalty from supporters, may spur conflict initially with rival leaders, eventually spilling over to supporters within a given community.
Religious factors also threaten peace in Tanzania, for beliefs play a major role in determining interpersonal, intercommunity and international relations. Religious conflict may occur due to various factors.
Mainstream faith traditions have fundamental doctrinal teachings and followers are expected to abide by them in belief and practice. Conflict may occur when, for example, the progressives or those who want changes or are in favour of a new way of looking at faith issues clash with conservatives or a group that is too orthodox and opposed to any changes that might affect the way they look/perceive faith to be.
This could create hatred between the two camps which may escalate into conflict and spill over to even those who are not members of these camps.
Perceiving one religion to be superior of inferior to another can cause tensions in communities that had previously lived harmoniously and respecting others' religious beliefs. Such tension can escalate into conflict which could degenerate into a violent situation that may cost of lives.
Lack of legal safeguards and people taking law into their own hands also threaten peace in Tanzania. Cases where law-enforcement officials and civilians kill each other are slowly but surely becoming a feature of life in the country. An example of this is March 24, 2013, where motorists killed a policeman in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region. Newspaper reports said the killing was an act of revenge for the death of a motorist allegedly caused by a traffic police officer. There have been numerous such incidents pitting the police against civilians.
Violence against women and children constitutes some of the worst and most common forms of structural oppression in Tanzania. Activists from non-governmental organizations are actively campaigning for women and children rights. The bottom line is that no nation can claim to be harmonious while some groups within the society are mistreated by others.
Unresolved grievances of the past are also a common source of conflict. Complaints from some sections of the Muslim community about the dissolution of their association in the 1960s by founding president Mwalimu Julius Nyerere keep surfacing, sometimes covertly and at other times overtly, with the "aggrieved" or the "disgruntled" seeking redress. The major complaint is that rather than recognize the religious association, the government sponsored the formation of a national association. This has become a source of friction between some Muslims and has spilled over to other social interests in society, causing instability.
Unequal share and participation in the economic development is another cause of conflict in Tanzania. This has resulted in unemployment, itself a sure threat to peace. There has been no tangible solution to the problem of youth unemployment, a situation which has led to a rise in the number and prevalence of youth gangs in both urban and rural areas. These youth now look for every possible chance to loot, thus becoming a threat to business owners. As expected, this creates a situation of both fear and hate between one group and another in any given community. Such a situation can easily escalate into a volatile situation.
Peace, once the pride of Tanzania, is being threatened and every effort must be made to prevent further deterioration of the situation. Journalists have a crucial role to play here. In all the above situations, and others that may arise, the media ought to truly stand as the communication channel between the contending sides through truth and the promotion of a peaceful coexistence.
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