Tanzania will continue protecting refugees and upholding human rights while strengthening efforts to preserve peace and security, the government has said, warning that corruption, discrimination and political instability remain among the factors that can undermine national cohesion.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Refugee Day in Dar es Salaam on June 20, the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Patrobas Katambi, said Tanzania remains committed to supporting refugees hosted in the country while drawing lessons from conflicts that have affected other nations in the region.
The annual event was held under the theme, “Until Everyone is Safe.”
Addressing refugees living in Dar es Salaam, who represented refugee communities from across the country, Mr Katambi said the government would continue ensuring their safety and well-being in line with the country's humanitarian traditions and international obligations.
He said President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration remains committed to providing protection and assistance to refugees, even during periods when international funding support falls short.
According to the minister, Tanzania has on several occasions mobilised its own resources to sustain refugee services and ensure that displaced people continue to live in peace and dignity.
Mr Katambi said testimonies shared by refugees about the circumstances that forced them to flee their home countries offered important lessons on the need to safeguard peace and stability.
He cited corruption, economic crimes, abuse of public resources, tax evasion, smuggling, political unrest, ethnic and religious discrimination, gender-based violence and other forms of injustice as some of the factors that have contributed to instability in various countries.
The minister urged Tanzanians to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by sharing information that could help prevent crime and protect national security.
"We are peaceful and secure today, but maintaining that peace requires collective responsibility. Citizens should not hesitate to share information that can help protect lives, property and our nation," he said.
Mr Katambi stressed that preserving Tanzania's long-standing reputation as a peaceful nation requires active participation from citizens, government institutions and other stakeholders.
He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law and equal protection for all people living in Tanzania, including refugees.
He said the government, Parliament and the Judiciary would continue working together to safeguard the rights and welfare of citizens and refugees while strengthening peace, justice and security.
Tanzania remains one of Africa's leading refugee-hosting countries, providing protection to people displaced by conflict and insecurity in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
The World Refugee Day commemoration highlighted both the resilience of refugees and the importance of international solidarity in addressing forced displacement.
