DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 9 -- AS Tanzania marks yet another year of independence, it is essential to reflect not only on the freedom achieved in 1961 but also on the enduring responsibilities that come with it.

Independence is more than a historical milestone; it is a living covenant between the nation and its people, a promise of sovereignty, self-determination and the capacity to shape our own destiny.

Recent events, including attempts to destabilise the country and growing signs of external pressures, serve as a stark reminder that freedom is fragile and must be actively defended through resilience, unity and responsible governance.

On 2nd December 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan addressed the Dar es Salaam Council of Elders, offerin...