Major General Suleiman Mzee.
TANZANIA has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to actively engage in peacekeeping and security training, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in strengthening regional stability.
Speaking at the opening of the SADC Integrated Senior Mission Leadership in Peace Support Operations course in Dar es Salaam on Monday, Major General Suleiman Mzee of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) Headquarters expressed gratitude to the participating SADC nations.
The course, hosted by the Tanzania Peacekeeping Training Centre (TPTC), brought together senior military, police and civilian personnel from across the region.
Maj Gen Mzee stressed the responsibility of peacekeepers to carry out their mandates in alignment with the African Charter, the Constitutive Act, and the African Union’s peer support operations.
He said, “Adhering to these mandates builds mission credibility and fosters trust within the communities we are protecting. The senior mission leaders participating in this course play a crucial role in this process.”
He also said that the evolving nature of international conflicts, stressing the importance of well-trained leaders in peace support operations.
“The complex and multidimensional challenges we face today require a comprehensive approach that integrates military, police, and civilian expertise,” he said.
Maj Gen Mzee reaffirmed the TPTC’s commitment to developing and sustaining regional peace support capabilities and recognised the valuable contributions of the participants’ diverse backgrounds and experiences.
He also stressed the significance of unity and collective decision-making in peace operations.
Acting Commandant of the SADC Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (SADC RPTC), Colonel Collin Mafika, noted that the course equips senior mission leaders with the practical skills necessary for successful peace support operations.
He outlined the course’s core objectives, including the development of strategic problemsolving abilities, fostering strong collaborative teams, improving crisis response capabilities, and ensuring operational compliance with international standards.
“This course is designed to produce capable leaders who can navigate the complexities of modern peace missions,” Colonel Mafika concluded.
Commandant of the Tanzania Peacekeeping Training Centre (TPTC), Brigadier General George Itang’are said that the course aims to enhance capabilities in peace support operations through rigorous training, knowledge sharing, and network building.
“The course will strengthen our collective ability as a region to respond to crises and support sustainable peace,” he added.
According to Brigadier General Itang’are, this marks the first time the course has been conducted in Tanzania and the second time it has been held in the region.
