Africa-Press – Tanzania. IN
the 60 years since its independence, Tanzania has continued to be a peaceful country, with all its borders being well protected, thanks to a job well-done by the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF).
TPDF, which was established on September 1, 1964 when its forerunner, Tanganyika Rifles, left by the British colonialists mutinied against the government, has continued to maintain its role, that includes defending the land, marine and air territories, which is in line with protecting national interests.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Venance Mabeyo said since its establishment in the past 57 years, TPDF has been patriotic and worked diligently with regards to professionalism, as well as demonstrating a high sense of submissiveness and integrity.
He said apart from maintaining national peace and stability, the TPDF has remained the people’s army for the greater interest of the country.
“This is something to be proud-of, there are some countries in Africa and other parts of the world that have landed into disputes because their defence forces had different ideologies contrary to ours. There must always be civilian control of the military,” he said.
The CDF also reassured that TPDF is always ready to implement its responsibilities with regard to the law, moreover, it has maintained its cooperation by demonstrating a high level of patriotisms. Expounding further, Gen Mabeyo said TPDF aims at maintaining a small armed forces composed of highly skilled officers and men equipped with modern equipment necessary for national defence.
Other responsibilities that TPDF is carrying out include participating in Peace Keeping missions under the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU). Also, the force also participates in operations and exercises at international and regional level.
“TPDF is also mandated to support civil power and take part in helping civil authorities during calamities, emergencies and other development projects,” noted the CDF.
Moreover, the force is implementing defence diplomacy by maintaining cooperation with other defence forces within the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Since its establishment in September 1964, TPDF also participated in the liberation struggles for independence of Southern African countries, Kagera war and the war in Comoros Island. “Furthermore, the TPDF played a large role in supporting and training southern African freedom movements from South Africa (PAC and ANC), Angola (MPLA), Namibia (SWAPO), Zimbabwe (ZANU-PF) and Mozambique (FRELIMO),” said Gen Mabeyo, adding that TPDF also participated in ‘Operation Safisha’ in Mozambique.
Right now TPDF forces have joined SADC troops from South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho in fighting terrorism in Mozambique. Expounding further, he said for many years TPDF has also continued to play an important role of peacekeeping in different countries in the world.
A list of countries where TPDF has been deploying its soldiers for peace keeping missions include Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon and Central African Republic.
According to Gen Mabeyo, in 1993 Tanzania deployed a total of 850 soldiers to Liberia to join the Economic Community of Western African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
The Tanzanian troops worked for a period of 15 months. From 2009, TPDF has managed to deploy a total of 13 troops for peacekeeping missions in Darfur–Sudan.
“The TPDF has not only succeeded in implementing its set objectives, but has also remained strong, patriotic and well-disciplined,” he said, commending President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her continued support to the TPDF.
According to him, every year since 2007, Tanzania has been deploying two companies from the military police for peace keeping missions in Lebanon, as well as sending military observers in countries with political instability.
“In 2008, TPDF successfully participated in a military intervention and recovered the Anjuan islands in Comoros that were taken over by rebels who were under Colonel Mohamed Bacar,” said Gen Mabeyo, adding that the staff officers from the TPDF are also taking part on peace keeping mission in different countries with political instability.
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