The challenge posed by security threats on border zones continue to constitute one
of the biggest and acknowledged threats to states and communities in the entire Great
Lakes Region (GLR) and the Horn of Africa. The insecurity include cross-border attacks
by armed groups and communities straddling the borders, smuggling, motor vehicle
thefts, drug trafficking, flow of small arms, land mines and now threats of terror
networks. For the western regions covered by Radio Kwizera, there has to be a cross-border
related insecurity incidence in every month (courtesy Radio Kwizera news findings).
These ills thrive along borders due to the ease of concealment of these activities,
the existing obstacles in accessibility (terrain, forests, and deserts) and absence
of penetrative transport and communication. And all states in the Great Lakes region
suffer from a limited capacity to control and monitor their porous borders on their
own. Despite the presence of the limited security officials, inherent weaknesses
prevail, ranging from lack of material and infrastructure to human resource feebleness
and lack of collaboration from the common inhabitants of such areas.
For the western border areas of Tanzania specifically, we have a complex history
that worsens the border problems and hampers the search for a long-lasting solution.
Many refugees have lived or worked or continue working in this parts having been
hosted there for a considerable number of years. When they are forced to return to
their mother countries and, unfortunately find it hard to survive, it is easy for
them to return and engage themselves in things that can earn them a living, both
legal and illegal. Their acquaintance of the area helps them to identify loopholes
which they exploit to carry out their activities with less possibilities of being
noticed.
State-based responses that have largely constituted the main attempts against these
threats have generated dilemmas and complexities. The accumulation of arms and positioning
of troops are viewed with suspicion eliciting an immediate counter-reaction. And
the existence of ethnic communities living on both sides of the border creates vectors
through which conflicts traverse borders. In effect, conflicts flow back and forth
across the borders. Yet unilateral approaches deny states the opportunity of pooling
their resources together for effective border security. This calls for collaborative
work that combines efforts from the government and government agencies, NGOs and
civil society organizations as well as local communities is required.
In trying to understand border security, the core questions to address are; what
is the nature of inter-state/inter-community cross border insecurity? What are the
contributing factors that lead to their perpetuation? What are the conditions for
inter-state/inter-community cross border co-operation that can enhance border security?
This concept proposal is developed to help answer these questions through in-depth
investigative journalism on border lines around Ngara, Kibondo and Kasulu (on both
sides of the border line) and the remaining refugee settlements around these areas.
Given the possible contributing factors, the complicity and/or indulgence of security
forces manning these borders included, such a study cannot be successful without
such an investigation.
We seek to engage our network of journalists and stringers in the investigations
within the areas that we cover to dig and unearth the ills utilizing both our good
network and knowledge of the areas along the borders and the good will we have established
with our listeners and partners in the whole region. Our long time service to the
refugees and their host communities further puts us at an advantageous position to
carry out such investigations.
Thereafter, radio programs shall be produced as audio-documentaries to be aired on
weekly bases for the benefit of all stakeholders, government agencies and local populations
included. While government agencies will gain from the output material which they
can use to combat the ills, it will also provide adequate knowledge to the unsuspecting
public who might fall victim of the games, most often with disastrous repercussions.
Through these efforts we seek to exemplify the functions of the media as true informers,
ombudsmen, and educators of the public. And from the challenges encountered, other
media practitioners can seek better ways of countering related ills in our societies
and nation at large.
This investigation seeks a better world for the future. The sensitivity of the area
of concern, as risky as it is, attests to the uniqueness of the project and the courage
demande by journalist in such works. Its benefits has no confines given that the
government and legal institutions, civil society and the general public will reap
from it. Further, it will be a continuity and a follow-up of the Tanzanian National
Action Plan to Combat and Eradicate the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons
of March 2002; the Regional Program of Action for Peace and Security’s Sub-Program
of Action for Joint Security Management of Common Borders (Project Number 1.1 of
21 September 2006); and other initiatives that seek a peaceful world. As a reminder
of an ardent need, we stand by the belief that actual peace is a process that needs
constant follow-ups. And as a follow-up, we will be joining all peace-loving people,
agencies and institutions in working towards that peaceful world. We recognize that
it will take a combined effort from all quarters to successfully combat cross-border
crime and insecurity. Radio Kwizera’s mission of “sowing the seeds of hope” among
refugees and their host populations embraces these efforts and wishes to constructively
participate in this positive change. That is why your organization’s financial support
will be crucial in bringing all these about.
