By: PMO–RALG, Arusha
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, has emphasized that sustainable peace and security depend on integrating socio-economic development with security strategies, stressing that investment in national security institutions must be matched by investment in local government authorities.
Prof. Shemdoe delivered the message on October 8, 2026, when delivering a lecture on Integrating Socio-Economic Development for Sustainable Peace and Security in the United Republic of Tanzania and Africa” to military officers attending the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) Command and Staff College in Arusha.
He explained that security begins at the local level, where government institutions interact directly with citizens. He noted that local government authorities play a critical role in delivering essential public services, addressing citizens’ grievances and identifying emerging tensions at an early stage before they escalate into conflicts.
The Minister further described grievance redress mechanisms as early warning systems for conflict prevention, explaining that resolving a grievance at the district level can prevent a dispute from escalating into a conflict that requires the intervention of security institutions.
On the inclusion of women and young people, Prof. Shemdoe stressed that meaningful participation must go beyond symbolic representation to encompass access to credit, skills development and markets. He noted that these economic opportunities give practical effect to the commitments contained in relevant resolutions while promoting inclusion and stability.
Addressing decentralization, he emphasized that it must involve adequate fiscal resources and accountability, rather than administrative responsibilities alone. He explained that local government authorities need their own revenue sources to fulfil their responsibilities, while citizens must be able to see how public funds are spent. He also highlighted digital revenue collection and financial management systems as important components of the national security architecture.
Prof. Shemdoe also identified land governance and food security as essential measures for preventing conflicts. He emphasized that village land-use plans, pasture development and adequate food production can help resolve potential disputes over land and natural resources before they escalate into violence.
Concluding his presentation, Prof. Shemdoe underscored the importance of ensuring that development reaches all citizens, stating: “Development that reaches everyone is the strongest guarantee of peace for everyone.”
Share this
EmoticonEmoticon