The Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr. Damas Ndumbaro, has urged Tanzanians to engage in personal reconciliations to address minor conflicts, particularly those related to marriage, land, and inheritance.
Dr. Ndumbaro emphasized that citizens should not wait for disputes to escalate into major conflicts that are difficult to resolve or require intervention by legal authorities.
The minister made these remarks in Morogoro during the launch of the "Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign," which aims to provide legal support to Tanzanians.
He highlighted that 11 regions have already been reached by the campaign, which will run for ten days until December 23, 2024, covering all districts in Morogoro Region.
Addressing inheritance matters, Dr. Ndumbaro encouraged individuals to write wills as part of responsible family planning to avoid inheritance-related disputes.
“Writing a will is not a bad omen, as some may think. It is a good preparation for your family and helps prevent conflicts after your passing,” he said.
The minister also urged citizens to utilize the Registration, Insolvency, and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) for guidance on drafting and registering wills to ensure a smooth distribution of assets after one's death.
Dr. Ndumbaro noted that a lack of legal knowledge among many Tanzanians often leads to the loss of their rights. The Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign offers free legal assistance to address this gap.
He called on the ministry’s officials to research the performance of ward tribunals and mediation councils, established in 1985, and provide recommendations for improvement to align them with modern needs. These councils, he said, play a crucial role in resolving family, neighborhood, and ward-level disputes.
Ester Msambazi, Director of Legal Aid Services at the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, highlighted that during the campaign's rollout in seven regions, a significant challenge identified was the lack of awareness about legal issues among citizens.
Representing the Morogoro Regional Commissioner at the event, lawyer Dastan Kyobia noted that Morogoro faces challenges such as inheritance disputes, marital conflicts, and land disputes, particularly between farmers and pastoralists.
He emphasized that conflicts between farmers and pastoralists are prevalent in all districts of Morogoro, except for the Morogoro Municipality. He expressed hope that the campaign would contribute to resolving these disputes effectively.