By Correspondent James Kandoya
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to involving youth in peace and security efforts, recognizing their critical role in national development and stability.
Speaking at a youth forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Josephine Matiro, Director of Youth Services in the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Youth, Employment and People with Disabilities, emphasized that national peace is inseparable from the future of Tanzanian youth.
“Youth are the engine of national development. They are the nation of today and tomorrow, and must remain vigilant in protecting the peace and security of our country,” she said.
Matiro noted that through the National Youth Policy, the government has established mechanisms to strengthen youth participation in peacebuilding and decision-making.
“The responsible ministry has opened its doors and is ready to work with young people across the country. Peace and security are not only government responsibilities; they are youth responsibilities too,” she added.
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Liberatha Mulamula, also underscored the importance of involving young people in shaping national development agendas.
“There is no sustainable development without the involvement of youth,” she said. “Just as the government has created frameworks for empowering women, it is time to establish a national strategy for youth development.”
Mulamula further stressed that peace should not be viewed merely as the absence of conflict, but as the elimination of multiple threats to stability. She urged the government to take proactive measures to engage youth in preventing such risks.
Joseph Malecela, Executive Director of the Africa Leaders Initiative for Impact, said the forum convened young people from different regions with three main objectives: enhancing youth participation in peace and leadership processes, addressing the impact of the digital era on youth safety, and promoting youth-led initiatives to tackle violence, crime, and climate change.
“The aim is to empower young people to avoid actions that threaten peace and instead play a leading role in creating solutions to national and global challenges,” he said.
Malecela added that participants were encouraged to take part in national dialogues and contribute to long-term strategies that safeguard peace and promote inclusive governance.
He noted that the forum comes at a time when Tanzania, like many African countries, faces growing challenges in youth unemployment, digital risks, and climate change—factors increasingly linked to peace and security.
