The Secretary General of the Tanzania Community for Reconciliation and Peace (JMAT), Bishop Dr Maasa Ole Gabriel, has praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her wisdom and leadership that he says has helped maintain peace and stability in Tanzania while initiating a national reconciliation process.
Speaking on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the organisation’s offices in Arusha, Bishop Maasa urged Tanzanians to remain calm and continue safeguarding the unity and solidarity that have long defined the country as the nation awaits the report of a commission formed to investigate incidents of unrest during and after the October 29, 2025 General Election.
The report is expected to be submitted to President Samia in the coming days and will include views gathered from different groups affected by the events, including youth, religious leaders, political actors and members of the public.
Bishop Maasa said the reconciliation body continues to emphasise that Tanzania’s greatest wealth lies not in its natural resources but in the values of peace, love and unity that have sustained the nation for decades.
“The President will receive the report which contains views from various groups affected by the events of October 29, including youth, religious leaders, political leaders and members of society. As the reconciliation community, we continue to stress the importance of protecting our greatest wealth as a nation peace, love, unity and solidarity,” he said.
He urged citizens to maintain calm and national cohesion as the President receives the report and reviews the recommendations before taking further steps.
The cleric noted that although Tanzania is rich in natural resources such as natural gas, minerals, oil and wildlife parks, no nation can fully benefit from such resources without peace and stability.
He said experiences from other parts of the world show that conflicts and instability can undermine development and destroy economic opportunities, warning that peace must remain a national priority.
Bishop Maasa also spoke about the reconciliation process, saying differences of opinion among citizens and leaders are natural and should not be a source of division.
He pointed out that the reconciliation community itself includes Christians, Muslims and traditional leaders who may have different perspectives but work together for the good of the country.
According to him, political leaders should also resolve their disagreements peacefully and ensure that political competition does not threaten national unity.
He urged politicians to manage their differences responsibly while placing peace and national stability above political interests.
Drawing from teachings in both the Bible and the Quran on the importance of peace and unity, Bishop Maasa also called on young people to use social media responsibly and avoid spreading messages that could incite conflict.
He encouraged the youth to become champions of peace by promoting positive values online and rejecting behaviours that may threaten the country’s harmony.
He said young people have a crucial role in protecting Tanzania’s moral values and strengthening social cohesion, particularly in the digital age where information spreads rapidly.
Bishop Maasa concluded by reminding Tanzanians that sustainable development and prosperity can only be achieved in a peaceful and united society.
