Africa-Press – Tanzania. EVERY September 21 of each year the international community commemorates the International Day of Peace which is also known as World Peace Day.
The UN General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
Peace can be defined as a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there is no fighting or war. Or it is a situation experienced when everything coexists in perfect harmony and freedom.
Tanzanians, being part of the international community, observed the day with various leaders delivering messages that stressed on the importance of embracing peace. In their messages, the leaders reminded Tanzanians that the prevailing peace has been serving as a catalyst for the country’s development.
Some went a step further to remind the public that the prevailing peace has been serving as a strong base for building peace in neighbouring countries in East and Southern Africa.
Tanzanians have been enjoying peace and tranquility since independence but some individuals may think that peace is something that falls from air just like rain when it rains.
The fact is that safeguarding peace is a civic duty of every individual since breach of peace may bring horrendous consequences to every person with women and children being mostly affected.
For any country to have ample time to plan for development initiatives for its people peace is a determining factor or prerequisite.
Absence of peace denies people an opportunity to engage themselves in income generating activities, further plunging families into poverty. We have witnessed some governments in the world spending a huge chunk of cash trying to restore peace in their nations instead of directing the financial resource to development programmes for their people.
On Saturday, upon arrival in the country from New York, US where she attended the 76th United Nations General Assembly, President Samia Suluhu Hassan also reminded Tanzanians on the importance of safeguarding peace, including embracing national unity and solidity for the country to effectively implement the pledges she issued at the UN Assembly.
Last year, Tanzania was declared to have moved from low to lower middle income country.
Though there are a number of factors that contributed towards the economic achievement peace and tranquility top the list.
Today, the international community heals from the Covid-19 pandemic but strategising towards full recovery can be slowed down if resources will be directed towards peace restoration efforts. In some nations this is what is happening.
Nations must also be inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform the world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable and healthier.
This is how peace can also be safeguarded.
