Non-Kinetic Approaches to Addressing Tanzania’s National Security Challenges

July 11, 2024; Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan (L) swearing-in newly appointed Director General of Intelligence Service, Selemani Mombo (R)

Date of Publication: October 16, 2024

Author and Background:

Evarist Chahali is a former Tanzanian intelligence officer with experience in counterterrorism, political risk analysis, and transnational organized crime. His work has focused on East Africa, particularly Tanzania’s role in regional security. After his intelligence career, Evarist transitioned into political and security consulting.

Problem Statement:

Tanzania faces several national security challenges, including cross-border terrorism, organized crime, internal political instability, and socio-economic disparities. The government has traditionally relied on kinetic military actions and police interventions to mitigate these threats. However, this strategy alone has proven insufficient in addressing the root causes of insecurity. A shift towards non-kinetic measures—such as diplomacy, intelligence operations, community engagement, and economic reforms—could offer a more sustainable and effective solution.

Background:

Tanzania, a country located in the East African region, has largely enjoyed political stability since its independence in 1961. However, its security landscape has evolved with regional and global trends. Key challenges include the threat of terrorism, particularly from groups such as Al-Shabaab, illegal arms smuggling, human trafficking, and organized crime networks involved in the drug trade. The potential for internal unrest also exists, driven by socio-economic inequality, youth unemployment, and political tensions between the mainland and Zanzibar.

Historically, Tanzania has employed kinetic military operations in response to insurgent threats, such as its intervention in Uganda in 1978 to remove Idi Amin or the deployment of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) in peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While necessary in some contexts, reliance on kinetic responses often overlooks the socio-political and economic roots of conflict. A more comprehensive approach, integrating non-kinetic strategies, is crucial for Tanzania to address its security challenges.

Significance:

Non-kinetic measures offer a more sustainable and less costly method of addressing national security threats compared to traditional military actions. These strategies target the root causes of instability—such as ideological radicalization, corruption, and economic disparity—while reducing the risks of escalating violence or infringing on civil liberties. Moreover, non-kinetic measures are essential for preventing external actors from exploiting domestic vulnerabilities.

Deploying these strategies will strengthen Tanzania’s security architecture, enhance regional stability, and contribute to its reputation as a regional leader in conflict resolution and diplomacy.

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Option #1: Strengthening Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Capabilities