Muleba. President Jakaya Kikwete assured the nation yesterday that the country’s borders are safe and secure from external threats and aggression.
Mr Kikwete, who is the commander-in-chief of Tanzania’s armed forces, declared that security agencies were alert and ready to protect the sanctity of the borders.
The head of state warned that those who dared violate the borders would face the music. He added: “Sleep soundly and ignore speculation that is rife out there. Our armed forces are able to protect the country and its borders. Anyone who dares invade or provoke us will face dire consequences.”
He sounded the warning at Kaboya army cemetery in Muleba district shortly after laying a shield and spear on the heroes’ monument in commemoration of Heroes Day.
The ceremonies attended by the Chief of Defence Forces, General Davis Mwamunyange, and Zanzibar’s President Ali Mohammed Shein and Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal, were held in remembrance of hundreds of casualties of the war to depose Uganda’s dictator Idd Amin Dada in 1978.
Mr Kikwete asked Gen Mwamunyange to assure the huge crowd of their safety. The TPDF head reiterated that the people should go about their activities peacefully as the army was alert and would secure their safety.
President Kikwete said thereafter: “You have heard from the people we have entrusted our country’s security to. We will not allow anyone to play around with our sovereignty just as we did not allow Amin’s invasion.”
President Kikwete did not specify the kind of threats the country was facing but his strong remarks came against a backdrop of deteriorating security in the Great Lakes Region.
The UN has issued a warning about the security situation in the DRC Congo, where the rebel M23 is fighting in the eastern part of the country in an attempt to destabilise President Joseph Kabila’s government.
The UN is planning to hold a crisis meeting over the conflict and has publicly warned Rwanda against arming or supporting the M23 rebels.
Almost all of Tanzania’s borders with Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC have been violated by warring parties and thousands of refugees fleeing war zones in the Great Lakes Region.
The country’s troops are engaged in the United Nations peace-keeping missions in Congo and M23 rebels recently threatened to “massacre” the Tanzanian troops.
President Kikwete recalled the fact that Tanzania moved swiftly against Idi Amin to safeguard national interests and the lives of Ugandan citizens who were likely to suffer retaliatory attacks for backing the forces that routed the dictator, who had occupied part of Tanzania.
Meanwhile, President Kikwete expressed the government’s commitment to continue upholding the legacy of all those who fought in the Kagera war and promised permanent support for soldiers who sustained disabilities in the course of protecting the country.
He said his administration would explore ways to support the soldiers to ensure they did not feel neglected.
Meanwhile, appeals for peace and tranquility dominated speeches delivered at the function by religious leaders.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Church in Bukoba Diocese Methodius Kilaini said every Tanzanian should preach peace.
Bishop Kilaini said security forces should remain a trusted refuge and not turn into agents to intimidate innocent citizens.
Bishop Elisa Buberwa, who represented the Christian Council of Tanzania, and the representative of the Islamic Council of Tanzania echoed these messages.
Bishop Buberwa prayed that the country would be spared the growing religious differences, hatred and crimes against humanity.
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