Tanzania has a long history of protecting civilians, promoting peace and supporting peacekeeping operations, particularly in Africa. It was no surprise that it recently hosted the United Nations Staff Officer Training of Trainers course.
“This is a significant step for us,” Brig. Gen. George Mwita Itang’are, commandant of the Tanzania Peacekeeping Training Centre, said during the opening ceremony. “We are proud to host this under the U.N. banner.”
The 10-day program took place at the training center in Dar es Salaam from July 7-17. Officers from Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia were among the participants from 22 countries. They were taught by trainers from Bangladesh, Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania and the United States. Itang’are said the primary goal of the training was to build the capacity of military instructors so that they can train other officers to carry out their responsibilities in U.N. peacekeeping missions.
“This course is crucial, as it targets officers with practical experience who will go on to deliver similar training back home — thus multiplying the impact,” he said. “Graduates from this course typically serve in sector headquarters or force headquarters in U.N. peacekeeping missions.
“This course strengthens Tanzania’s institutional capacity, as our local instructors are now qualified to deliver high-standard staff officer training.”
U.N. Chief of Integrated Training Services Harinder Sood explained that the course is designed to prepare officers for the realities of modern peacekeeping operations, which demand strong leadership, adaptability and the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.
“Current peacekeeping missions are facing many challenges. Therefore, we need highly skilled and experienced officers,” he said during the opening ceremony. “I think [the course] provides opportunities not only for neighboring countries but also for Tanzania.”
Maj. Gen. Amri Salim Mwami of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force expressed pride at Tanzania’s role as a key partner of the U.N. in promoting peace and stability around the world.
“This training is aimed at promoting global peace, and it is a great honor for our country that Tanzania’s military academy is increasingly trusted to offer such international programs,” he said, according to Tanzanian newspaper the Daily News.
Sood also praised the host country, saying he was pleased to see his department conduct this training for the first time on African soil.
“Tanzania has a long history of participating significantly in conflict prevention and peacekeeping activities,” he said. “It is a beautiful and stable country, and we hope it will continue to be a strong partner in ensuring that the world has lasting peace.”
