By Carlos Claudio, Dar es Salaam.
The Government, through the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, has urged Tanzanians to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms instead of relying solely on court proceedings, saying the approach promotes peaceful settlements and strengthens social harmony.
The remarks were made on July 1, 2026, by the Deputy Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Zainab Katimba, while speaking to journalists at the Ministry's pavilion during the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba).
Katimba said the ministry is using the annual trade fair as a platform to bring legal services closer to the public by providing legal advice, civic education, and guidance on various legal matters affecting citizens.
"I would like to take this opportunity to invite all Tanzanians to visit the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs pavilion to receive legal services, professional advice, and information on their rights and responsibilities," she said.
She emphasized that while courts remain the constitutional institutions responsible for administering justice, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms offer an effective way of resolving conflicts amicably, allowing parties to reach mutually acceptable solutions without prolonged litigation.
According to Katimba, ministry officials are engaging directly with visitors at the exhibition to help them understand the most appropriate legal avenues for resolving disputes and protecting their rights.
The Deputy Minister also visited the Law Reform Commission's pavilion, where she highlighted the commission's crucial role in reviewing and updating laws to align with Tanzania's evolving social, economic, and technological landscape, particularly in support of the implementation of the country's Vision 2050.
She noted that the government is committed to ensuring that laws remain enabling, responsive, and capable of supporting the country's growing digital economy and technological transformation.
During her tour, Katimba also visited the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance pavilion, where she urged officials to continue educating citizens not only about their constitutional rights but also about their civic responsibilities.
"Every Tanzanian's rights end where another person's rights begin. Citizens must understand that alongside claiming their rights, they also have a constitutional duty to protect the nation and fulfill their obligations as provided under Article 27 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania," she said.
She further visited the Law School of Tanzania pavilion, where she was briefed on the institution's new electronic learning system designed to help students prepare more effectively for examinations and improve the quality of legal education.
Katimba said the initiative would contribute to producing competent legal professionals capable of delivering quality legal services to the public.
At the pavilion of the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA), she commended the agency for improving service delivery through digital systems, noting that citizens are now able to obtain birth certificates within a short period due to enhanced efficiency.
She encouraged Tanzanians to visit the ministry's exhibition pavilion early during the trade fair to access legal advice and government services instead of waiting until the final days of the exhibition.
Katimba also said the Ministry continues to implement the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, an initiative aimed at expanding access to free legal aid services across the country.
She called upon citizens facing legal challenges, including land disputes, family matters, inheritance cases, divorce issues, and other legal concerns, to take advantage of the services available at the ministry's pavilion during the Sabasaba exhibition.
She reaffirmed the Government's commitment to strengthening legal and justice delivery systems to ensure that every Tanzanian has timely and equitable access to justice.
No comments:
Post a Comment