Tanzania's Enduring Peace: How Chiefs and Citizens Unite

DAR ES SALAAM: FOR decades, Tanzania has been widely recognised as a beacon of peace, unity and stability in Africa. Despite being home to more than 120 ethnic groups, the country has maintained social harmony through strong traditions, customs and moral values that bind communities together. Traditional leaders say that strengthening these traditions and restoring moral values remain the most effective way to ensure that such violence never occurs again. Tanzania’s customs have long emphasised respect, dialogue, unity and collective responsibility. In many communities, elders play a central role in resolving disputes through peaceful discussion and mediation. Family meetings, village assemblies and cultural forums have traditionally provided platforms where grievances are aired and resolved without resorting to violence. For generations, these practices have enabled Tanzanians to coexist peacefully despite differences in ethnicity, religion and political beliefs. However, traditional leaders warn that when people abandon these values and adopt destructive behaviours copied from foreign cultures, society becomes vulnerable to chaos, division and conflict. The unrest of October 29, 2025 was widely condemned by traditional leaders, who described it as a consequence of moral decay among some youths and a departure from Tanzanian cultural values. According to the leaders, young people who fail to respect traditions, elders and the law are easily misled into actions that undermine national unity and threaten the peace built over many years. The Chairperson of the Union of Chiefs in Tanzania, Chief Antonia Sangalali, said restoring moral values among young people has become a top priority for traditional leaders. “We are taking various initiatives to ensure that what happened on October 29, last year does not happen again. We are using different platforms, including the media, to educate young people about the value of peace and the importance of respecting our traditions and customs,” Chief Sangalali said. She added that traditional leaders have been holding meetings with youths across the country, urging them to safeguard Tanzanian culture and embrace moral values that promote unity and peaceful coexistence. “We tell young people that if they have problems or concerns, they should report them to the relevant authorities instead of engaging in violence. A commission has already been formed under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also Chief Hangaya, to investigate the October 29 unrest and collect citizens’ views so the matter can be addressed properly and never repeated,” she said. ALSO READ: Why peace, unity, patriotism matter most in national development Chief Sangalali emphasised that Tanzania’s identity as a peaceful nation is deeply rooted in its cultural values, noting that the country is rich in natural resources, including fertile land that feeds its people and neighbouring countries. “Young people should not destroy our traditions by listening to misleading advice from outside forces that seek to undermine our peace, even as they depend on food produced here,” she said. “The peace we enjoy must be protected through dialogue and reconciliation, not through violence that destroys property, injures people and claims lives. We are a peaceful people, not a violent one, and we will not accept violence in our country again,” Chief Sangalali added. She also reminded Tanzanians that the country has played a historic role in supporting African liberation movements and restoring peace across the continent, training leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel because it was recognised as a centre of peace and unity. “Our traditions and customs have shaped citizens with strong morals and respect for peace. Children grow up witnessing these values and carrying them forward. There is no justification for being misled into destroying our cultural heritage,” she said. Chief Sangalali further noted that Tanzanian customs promote respect, cooperation and listening to one another. “What happened on October 29 was copied from other countries. It is not our way. Our people are learning from that painful experience, and it must never be repeated,” she said. She stressed that peace is not solely the responsibility of the government or security forces but of every citizen. She added: “When you destroy a road, a school or a hospital, you are destroying your own future and that of your children. Our traditions teach us to protect what belongs to the community.” Echoing her sentiments, the Deputy Secretary General of the Union of Chiefs in Tanzania, Chief Albert Ndalu, said moral values are gradually eroding, particularly among young people born and raised in urban areas who are disconnected from their ancestral roots. “Culture is the foundation of unity, but today many people think culture is only about traditional dances. In reality, culture includes values, taboos, respect and discipline,” he said. Chief Ndalu explained that even the national Constitution draws heavily from Tanzanian traditions, including clear distinctions between right and wrong. He urged parents to take their children to their home villages so they can learn customs and moral values, instead of imitating behaviours seen on social media, which often promote violence, disrespect and immorality. “To restore normalcy and ensure peaceful coexistence, people must sit together, engage in dialogue and reconcile with their leaders. Chiefs are ready to hold grassroots meetings to rebuild unity and restore moral values,” he said. Chief Ndalu warned that neglecting culture poses a serious risk to the nation’s future. “When culture is lost, unity is lost. When unity is lost, peace is lost. We must return to our roots,” he said. Parents were also urged to take greater responsibility for shaping their children’s character. “A child raised in an environment of respect, honesty and cooperation will carry those values into society. But a child raised amid violence and hatred will reproduce the same,” Chief Ndalu said. Meanwhile, citizens affected by the October 29 violence have called for peace and unity, saying they do not want a repeat of such incidents. Mr Abuubakari Mgoa, a car mechanic from Mwanayamala in Dar es Salaam, said the violence disrupted his livelihood and plunged his family into hardship. “I survive on daily income from my garage work. When the violence broke out, I could not go to work for several days. My tools were destroyed and customers were afraid to come. My children went to bed hungry because I had no money to buy food,” he said. Mr Mgoa said the experience taught him how vital peace is for ordinary citizens. “Without peace there is no life, no business, no education and no progress. I do not want to see such violence again in this country. We must return to our traditions of mutual respect and resolving problems through dialogue,” he added. Ms Neema Salehe, a small-scale trader at Bunju local market, said she lost her entire stock when rioters vandalised shops and stalls. “I had just taken a loan to expand my business. All my tomatoes, onions and fruits were destroyed. That was my only source of income, and I was devastated. Violence helps no one; it only brings suffering,” she said. Ms Salehe believes moral values must be instilled in young people from an early age. “When I was growing up, elders taught us respect, discipline and patience. Today many youths listen more to social media than to their parents. We must revive our traditions so our children grow up understanding the value of peace,” she said. ALSO READ: Peace dividend must be protected Similarly, Ms Jestina Mgaya, a mother of four, said the violence traumatised her children. “My house is near the road where the chaos occurred. My children saw people shouting and running. They were so frightened they could not sleep for days. As a parent, it broke my heart,” she said. Ms Mgaya urged leaders, parents and communities to work together to guide young people. “We must teach our children that violence is not the solution. Our traditions show us how to live together peacefully. I pray that what happened on October 29 will never happen again,” she said. A College student, Ms Jackline Mwambene said young people should not be misused by people with bad intentions who want to create divisions in society. “Youths should focus on building their future through education, hard work and discipline instead of being influenced into actions that bring fear and tension in the country,” she said. She said many young people forget the value of peace because they grow up seeing negative influences on social media and in movies which promote violence and disrespect. “Our traditions teach us respect, patience and responsibility. When young people ignore these values, they lose direction and become easy targets for manipulation,” she said. She added that Tanzanian youths should be proud of their culture and protect the peace that previous generations worked hard to build. “We are the future of this nation. If we destroy peace today, we destroy our own tomorrow. We must choose dialogue, unity and love for our country,” she said. She said what happened on October 29 should be a lesson to all young people that violence has no place in Tanzania and must never be allowed to happen again.