President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reiterated her call for unity in defending Tanzania’s national interests, warning that the country is facing growing threats from foreign actors seeking to destabilize it.
Speaking at the State House in Dar es Salaam during the swearing-in ceremony of new government officials, President Samia stressed that protecting the nation is a shared duty not just the responsibility of security forces or leaders.
“Tulioko hapa ni sisi na hakuna mwingine. Kwa sababu ya uzuri na mathubutu ya taifa letu, mnaona yanayo tokea leo ya kwamba watu kutoka kwingine wanataka kuja kuvuruga huku ndani,” she said. “Na kazi ya kulinda sio langu peke yangu, wala sio vyombo vya ulinzi na usalama peke yao—ni sote. Kwa sababu wakikosa huku, watapita mawizara, mashirika yetu, watataka kuingia kuvuruga. Naomba mkalinde taifa lenu.”
Her remarks follow criticism over the arrest and deportation of activists from Kenya and Uganda. But President Samia defended her administration’s actions, saying they were aimed at preserving Tanzania’s peace and stability.
She warned that efforts to destabilize the nation might not always be direct but could come through subtle channels including ministries and public institutions and called on officials to be alert.
