An Era of Conscience

Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Prime Minister
H.E. Mizengo P. Pinda (MP)

 “AN ERA OF CONSCIENCE”

Words from H.E. Mizengo P. Pinda (MP), Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The World today is full with hatred and intolerance which results in instability, chaos, conflict and terror. It has been untolerable place to live, and many people have been forced to flee their Countries, homeland and communities to find sanctuary in neighboring Countries.

Regrettably conflicts have continued to interfere in our development endeavours as they linger on in different part of the World, from Sahel to Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Syria to Afghanistan and now Ukraine and other areas of the World. These conflicts have also caused enormous loss of innocent lives as populations continue to endure untold sufferings especially to Women and Children.

It is also true that, for years now Countries in the World including Tanzania have become proactive in contributing troops in to United Nation Peacekeeping operations.

As of 31st December, 2013 about 120 Countries were contributing troops to Peacekeeping Operations and more than 117,000 Peacekeepers are now deployed worldwide. Peacekeepers are in Lebanon (10,413), Darfur (19,442), Ivory Cost (9,944), Haiti (8,600), Liberia (7,467), South Sudan (7,684), Mali (6,439) and the DRC (21,198) to mention a few. Troops are also in other areas of the World including Republic of Central Africa, Somali, Syria, Afghanistan, etc. These troops spend huge sums of money for their upkeep which could have been spent to reduce poverty on the poor one billion people world wide.

It is true also that, in some cases peacekeepers around the World are faced with dangers of being attacked and killed. It is disturbing that, armed groups and peace spoilers are increasingly attacking these Servants of peace. We should pray for peacekeepers and condemn all these attacks.

In some cases we have heard of terrorist attacks that have been happening in several parts of the World. Tanzania condemns in the strongest terms possible the cowardly attacks. These horrendous attacks are heart-breaking reminder of the threat that terrorism poses to humanity. The challenge ahead of us cannot be understated nor underestimated. The success will depend on our unity of purpose and determination.

Despite of all that is happening, it is possible to have a World without, wars conflicts and acts of terrorism. A World where human rights are respected, Rule of Law observed and love and peace amongst its people is exercised. With these efforts like “An Era of Conscience” we can win the War: Every human longs for Peace and Love. Therefore, the idea of peace and love towards humanity should be the chief concern for all mankind. Eusebia Madziwa, author of peace, love and happiness once wrote:

“The true value of life is not found in riches or fame, it is found in the simple finer things in life like, love, peace and happiness”.

Her argument was that, most people spent a greater part of their lives working so that they get money and most times in so doing they ignore their loved ones. The whole World has let money rule us to the extent that when we don’t have it we are devoid of peace and happiness!

It is true that, peace and love require sacrifice. We need to plan the future of our people. We need to ensure that love, peace and happiness prevail to people of the World.

It is written in the Holy Books (Luke 10:27) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your Soul, with all your Strength, and with all your mind”, and “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”. “Love your enemies, and do not revenge on someone who wrongs you”. These are the good words we can always regard as our guidance to keep the World in Love, Peace and Harmony amongst the people of the World.

Let me take this opportunity to call upon peoples of the World and everybody to do good deeds to each other, and make conscience which will reconstruct the World in harmony and stability. I believe that, these efforts will make the year 2014 a year of conscience to restore love, peace and happiness.

Thank you and God Bless You!