The Tanzania Political Parties Council has pledged to step up efforts to ease political tensions between political parties and the Government, saying constructive dialogue and respect for the law are critical to preserving peace and strengthening democracy.
Council chairman Juma Ali Khatib said the body would use its mandate to promote closer engagement among political parties, the Government and citizens while encouraging stakeholders to put national interests ahead of political differences.
He made the remarks in Morogoro shortly after the election of new leaders to the council’s committees.
Mr Khatib said the new leadership would operate within the law, including the Political Parties Act, regulations issued by the Registrar of Political Parties and the constitutions of individual parties.
“Our major objective is to build peace in our country. Many things happened after the elections, but now the Government is moving forward and work is being carried out,” he said.
His remarks point to the council’s emphasis on moving political debate beyond electoral disputes and towards cooperation on issues affecting citizens and national development.
Mr Khatib said political parties had a responsibility to contribute to nation-building by strengthening links between the Government and society and creating an environment in which citizens could pursue their social and economic activities peacefully.
“Our intention as political parties is to build our country and connect the Government with society so that people can continue carrying out their activities peacefully,” he said.
He said parties would continue promoting their policies and election manifestos, but stressed that such political activity should be pursued in the interest of the country and its future development.
The new committees, he added, would work to strengthen democratic principles while ensuring that political parties complied with national laws and directives from the Registrar without creating unnecessary tension.
Mr Khatib described the approach as a sign of political maturity, crediting the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties with providing guidance and creating platforms for dialogue among political actors.
“From the beginning, the Registrar has been at the forefront of engaging political party leaders in Tanzania, educating us about our responsibilities and how we can fulfil our role of advising the Government as required by law,” he said.
He said sustained cooperation among political parties, the Government and citizens was necessary to promote national unity and ensure that development efforts involved citizens more fully.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Registrar of Political Parties Mohamed Ali Mohamed urged political leaders and activists to use respectful language when advancing their arguments.
He said political actors should present their views responsibly, particularly when addressing issues that could affect social cohesion and public confidence.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Tanzania Political Parties Council’s Election Affairs Committee, Majalio Kyara, said strengthening democratic practices remained important for maintaining peace and stability.
The council's renewed commitment places dialogue, lawful political competition and national cohesion at the centre of efforts to manage political differences, particularly as Tanzania continues to strengthen its democratic institutions.