TANZANIA: Interfaith Committee in Mtwara Region Pledges Peace During Election in Tanzania
By Dalphina Rubyema
The Interfaith Committees in Mtwara region, Tanzania, have committed to mobilizing communities to uphold peace and stability, especially as the nation heads toward the General Election scheduled for October 29 this year. They will use their platforms to provide civic education and emphasize the importance of maintaining peace.
These resolutions were reached during a meeting held to review the committee activities in Mtwara and Tandahimba Districts, the meeting which was organized by the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) through its Swahili Coast Project, funded by the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).
According to Mr. Norasco Tereba, Assistant Coordinator of the project at TEC, the evaluation conducted with committee members and development stakeholders in Mtwara, including senior government officials from various departments, showed negative achievements, particularly in reducing marital and land disputes.
“In 2023, when TEC formed the Interfaith Committees in Mtwara and Tandahimba Districts, the rate of disputes, especially those related to marriage, land, and gender-based violence, was very high,” said Mr. Tereba.
He added, “NCA and its partners, including TEC, Christians Council of Tanzania (CCT) and National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA), observed that these challenges were common along the Coastal belt. They therefore initiated the Swahili Coast Project and assigned various stakeholders to specific work areas. TEC was given the districts of Tandahimba, Nanyamba, and Mtwara.”
To achieve the goal of reducing or eliminating such conflicts by 2027, TEC established Interfaith Committees in the respective districts. The committees comprise members from TEC and CCT. They work alongside district technical experts and have been trained in conflict resolution, including how to refer unresolved cases to the legal system.
The Chairperson of the Interfaith Committee in Tandahimba District, Sheikh Bakari Salama, told the meeting that initially, the committee was receiving about 10–15 marriage dispute cases per month, but the number has now dropped to between 2–7 per month.
Sheikh Bakari added that the committee has mobilized various groups, including women and youth, to promote peace, love, and unity within their communities, something which contributes to greater stability in the area.
In Mtwara District, committee representative Bishop Lucas Judda (CCT) reported that the committee’s work has helped reduce land disputes. While unresolved cases are referred to higher authorities for legal settlement, most are now resolved by bringing the parties together to reach a mutual understanding.
“We have also formed an Interfaith Youth Committee in Mtwara District, and in Tandahimba, we have formed an Interfaith Women’s Committee. Their role is to promote peace within their respective groups,” said Tereba.
Ms. Felista Awasi, representing the District Legal Officer’s Office in Mtwara, confirmed that marriage and land disputes have significantly decreased compared to previous years before the committees were formed.
The evaluation meetings between the Interfaith Committees and development stakeholders, including Law enforcers, the Social Welfare Officer, the Development Officer, and the Gender Desk Coordinator.
Participants resolved to promote a peaceful and calm General Election and to continue working with various stakeholders to resolve social disputes, including those related to marriage and land, to build a prosperous society that safeguards human dignity.
