Inclusive socio-economic development, effective local governance and timely resolution of public grievances are essential to maintaining lasting peace and security, Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, has said.
He said investment in security institutions must go hand in hand with strengthening local government authorities, which are on the frontline of public service delivery and engagement with citizens.
Prof Shemdoe made the remarks on October 8, 2026, while delivering a lecture titled Integrating Socio-Economic Development for Sustainable Peace and Security in Tanzania and Africa to military officers attending the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) Command and Staff College in Arusha.
He said security begins at the local level, where government institutions interact directly with citizens, address their concerns and identify potential sources of tension before they escalate into conflicts.
According to Prof Shemdoe, local government authorities play a critical role in preventing disputes by ensuring access to essential public services and providing effective channels through which citizens can raise grievances.
He described grievance redress mechanisms as an important part of early warning systems, noting that resolving disputes at the district level could prevent them from escalating and requiring intervention by security institutions.
Prof Shemdoe also stressed the need to expand economic opportunities for women and young people, arguing that meaningful inclusion must go beyond representation to provide access to credit, skills development and markets.
He said such opportunities could translate commitments to inclusion into tangible economic benefits while helping address inequalities that may undermine social stability.
On decentralisation, the minister said transferring responsibilities to local government authorities must be accompanied by adequate financial resources and strong accountability mechanisms.
He noted that councils needed reliable revenue sources to fulfil their mandates, while citizens should be able to see how public funds are collected, allocated and spent.
He also identified digital revenue collection and financial management systems as important tools for strengthening transparency, improving public service delivery and supporting national security.
Land governance and food security were other areas he highlighted as essential to conflict prevention, particularly in communities where competition over land and natural resources can trigger disputes.
Prof Shemdoe said village land-use plans, improved pasture management and adequate food production could help communities manage competing demands on natural resources and prevent disagreements from escalating into violence.
He emphasised that sustainable peace could not be achieved through security measures alone, but required development that addressed the needs and concerns of all citizens.
“Development that reaches everyone is the strongest guarantee of peace for everyone,” he said.