Tanzania’s Southern Border: Navigating Security and Development Challenges

Tanzania’s southern regions have seen improvements in security, evident from President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s recent visits and the revival of trade post the withdrawal of SADC troops from Mozambique. A development corridor plan aims to enhance infrastructure and address lingering issues of marginalization and poverty among local populations. Ensuring local benefit from significant economic projects, like the LNG initiative, is crucial to sustaining peace and preventing future conflicts.

Between 2020 and 2021, the security landscape in Tanzania’s southern regions—Lindi, Mtwara, Pwani, and Ruvuma—was marked by instability and unpredictability. Though law enforcement made strides in reducing criminal activity in Pwani, many offenders sought refuge in southern areas, complicating efforts for long-term security. The late President John Pombe Magufuli’s avoidance of the southern corridor during his 2020 re-election campaign underscored the trepidation surrounding security, especially after a cross-border raid occurred shortly before the elections. It was not until three years later, in September 2023, that President Samia Suluhu Hassan visited Ruvuma and Mtwara, indicating a potential return to stability reminiscent of a decade ago.

Since 2012, Tanzania has faced a series of escalating security threats, culminating in 2014 with the emergence of terrorist activities centered in the Pwani region. These incidents included targeted attacks on political figures and police forces, raising significant concerns about regional security as the country approached another milestone in its battle against terrorism. President Samia’s recent visits, alongside operational customs checkpoints, reflect a growing confidence in controlling security risks along the southern border.

Moreover, the withdrawal of SADC Mission troops from Mozambique in July 2022 was anticipated to impact security; however, reports indicate no significant adverse effects on Tanzania’s southern corridor. An increase in local business interactions and the gradual recovery of exports to Mozambique since 2022 demonstrate resilience in cross-border trade and stability in the region. Despite the resurgence of economic activities along the southern route, challenges persist due to tensions in Mozambique and lingering sentiments of marginalization among residents in Lindi and Mtwara.

In light of the socioeconomic landscape, the Tanzanian government has sought to revitalize its southern regions through the Mtwara development corridor plan, targeting infrastructural enhancements. However, the interplay of domestic social issues and external threats raises concerns about security, potentially affecting investments, particularly in the context of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project anticipated to drive economic transformation.

To foster sustainable growth and stability, authorities must address underlying issues of marginalization while ensuring that local communities benefit from development initiatives. Enhanced community investment efforts may ease sentiments of exclusion that could trigger future conflicts. Subsequently, as Tanzania navigates its security framework, balancing effective governance and territorial security with inclusive development will be vital to achieving lasting peace and stability in the southern regions.

Dastan Kweka, a governance specialist and analyst, emphasizes the need for strong security measures intertwined with robust community development initiatives to ensure long-term stability along the southern corridor.

The security situation in Tanzania’s southern regions has fluctuated over the past decade, with significant incidents of conflict, including riots and a prolonged terrorist insurgency. These developments have had profound implications on governance, regional stability, and the economic prospects for local populations. The recent activities of President Samia Suluhu Hassan denote a strategic effort to revitalize these areas while strategically addressing past vulnerabilities and instilling confidence in government security measures. Moreover, the socioeconomic fabric of these regions showcases challenges of marginalization and poverty, which necessitate comprehensive development plans to mitigate risks associated with exclusion and unrest.

In conclusion, Tanzania’s southern regions have undergone transformations in security dynamics, leaning towards a more stable environment chiefly due to recent governmental efforts and revived cross-border trade. However, underlying issues of marginalization and potential conflict must be addressed alongside infrastructural progress to prevent the recurrence of tension. Sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved through inclusive development strategies that provide local communities with equitable access to the benefits of growth, particularly in light of the opportunities presented by the LNG project.

Original Source: thechanzo.com