The government of Tanzania has urged civil society organisations to be cautious and avoid being manipulated by individuals, organisations or foreign countries to compromise national unity and peace. Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Ayoub Mohammed Mahmoud made the call while closing the 70th anniversary celebrations of civil society organisations in Dar es Salaam. He emphasised the importance of these organisations in maintaining peace, national unity and solidarity.
Mr Mahmoud pledged to work closely with registered civil society organisations to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively. He encouraged them to use their offices and platforms to resolve internal differences amicably, rather than allowing disputes to escalate through the media. The Deputy Minister recognised the valuable role civil society organisations play in the country's development.
The government has identified moral decay as a significant challenge that civil society organisations must help address. Mr Mahmoud noted that both young people and adults are increasingly engaging in behaviours that are alien to Tanzanian culture. He called on religious leaders to promote moral values and help build a better society through their platforms.
The Deputy Minister urged leaders of civil society organisations to discharge their responsibilities effectively to ensure Tanzania remains an island of peace and stability. He challenged these organisations to translate the lessons learned during the celebrations into practical initiatives that contribute to economic development, including establishing reliable sources of income.
The 70th anniversary celebrations, which began on October 28, 2022, concluded with the announcement of six resolutions adopted after three days of discussions on the specific responsibilities of civil society organisations. One of the resolutions included continued participation by civil society organisations in government efforts to safeguard national unity.
The meeting resolved that civil society organisations should hold a national conference at least once every year, while religious organisations should actively participate in addressing moral decay in society. Other resolutions called on the organisations to utilise available resources and opportunities to establish projects that create employment and strengthen their financial capacity.
The celebrations reached 5,300 people, who were equipped with knowledge and skills on how to manage their organisations effectively, create employment opportunities, establish alternative sources of income and identify available economic opportunities. The Registrar of Civil Society Organisations, Emmanuel Kihampa, said the events had strengthened public understanding of civil society organisations and their role in maintaining peace, stability and national unity.
Key points
- The government has pledged to work closely with registered civil society organisations to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
- Civil society organisations have been urged to hold a national conference at least once every year to discuss their role in maintaining national unity.
- The celebrations reached 5,300 people, who were equipped with knowledge and skills on how to manage their organisations effectively.
