Strengthening Collaboration Across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

We are honored to have hosted Hon. Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State, President’s Office for Planning and Investment, and Member of Parliament, as Guest of Honor at the High-Level Strategic Meeting on Advancing the Rule of Law and Access to Justice.

The event, co-funded by the European Union and led by the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) in collaboration with the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Zanzibar Law Society (ZLS), East Africa Law Society (EALS), and Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), brought together key stakeholders from ministries, justice institutions, bar associations, civil society organizations, and development partners from both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

Hon. Prof. Kitila Mkumbo reaffirmed the Government of Tanzania’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan to promoting human rights, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring broad access to justice for all citizens. Quoting Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, he reminded the audience that:

"Any development that deprives one’s freedom cannot be defined as development."

The meeting was not just a dialogue but a movement towards building inclusive, accountable, and resilient justice systems.

 It highlighted the critical role of evidence-based reforms, stronger collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the importance of placing citizens at the center of governance processes.

We were also joined by esteemed leaders including Hon. Retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, Hon. Retired Judge Feleshi Makaramba, representatives from the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, the Judiciary, Bar Associations, government agencies, and CSOs from both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Together, we are advancing a future where human rights, justice, and democracy form the foundation of national growth.

Unity is strength, division is weakness  and today, we stand united.