Religious intolerance threatens Tanzania`s peace
What is the basis for the conflict in our
nation? Are we to end up like some of our neighboring countries forever
at war, displaced with stagnant economies, tremendous psychological
trauma, malnutrition, and rising death tolls? Have you seen how our
fellow African refugees are treated?
How soon we forget a couple of months ago
African refugees were chased out of their homes, and settlements in
Israel. Stoned and beaten by angry citizens they were put in camps to be
flown back to their war torn countries. Talk less of the misplaced
thousands coming out of Somalia and South Sudan. Though strife may
surround us we should not want to join the race. The violence in
Tanzania has to be curbed.
Our stable political and economic
conditions have stimulated an extensive range of international interests
into the country. Tanzania is experiencing an increase in economic
growth and opportunities. We ranked in the top 10 countries on the
continent for this year’s Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance - 2012
IIAG.
Tanzania scored highest in the Safety
& Rule of Law and Participation and Human Rights categories. Earlier
this year the World Bank forecasted “following three years of a high
rate of economic growth, Tanzania’s economy is forecast to grow by
approximately six percent in 2012.”
Our forecasts are promising, stakeholders
are pouring in, our spending power is on the increase, how is it that we
are trying to shoot ourselves in the foot? No prospective investor
wants to invest in a country that is laden with internal issues. If we
cannot maintain peace it does not matter what riches our country holds -
minerals or otherwise; we will lose out on potential growth
opportunities both individually and as a nation.
Here is a novel idea - we might be heading
in the wrong direction with this lack of tolerance amongst ourselves.
If there is a message we are supposed to derive from these sporadic
sparks of violence could someone spell it out, because most of us are
totally in the dark.
Our country is blessed with a mixture of
people and we are all called Tanzanians. We have a very rich culture
which adds to our beauty as a nation. Religiously, tribally, ethnically
we are so diverse but we are one.
The general consensus is that our energy
as a country should be focused on our developmental challenges such as:
health, education, gender equality, agricultural revolution, corruption,
poverty, unemployment and extremely poor infrastructure to name but a
few. Though we seem to have a long way to go in development, we are
taking the necessary strides towards that avenue. Needless to say we
will be heading absolutely nowhere if we let this state of intolerance
continue to lay a foundation in our society.
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