Why Tanzania’s ‘ndugu’ can become the most powerful language of peace and diplomacy today

DAR ES SALAAM: ON October 4, the Catholic Church commemorated the life and legacy of St Francis of Assisi, a figure whose influence reaches far beyond the boundaries of the Church. His message of peace, fraternity, humility, service and care for creation continues to speak to societies confronting division, conflict and environmental challenges.

Italy has given the occasion an even broader national significance by restoring it as the Festa Nazionale di San Francesco d’Assisi, recognising St Francis as a Patron of Italy and an important part of the country’s spiritual and moral heritage.

His commemoration can therefore be understood not only as a religious observance but also as a diplomatic bridge linking Italy with countries with which it has developed longstanding cultural, humanitarian and diplomatic relationships.

This year, that bridge was particularly visible in Tanzania, where faith, diplomacy, history and a shared commitment to humanity converged. The commemoration offered renewed reflection on peace, fraternity, environmental stewardship and solidarity. As the world marks 800 years since the death of St Francis in 1226, his life provides enduring lessons for diplomacy, international relations and nation-building.

** From Italy to Tanzania: Diplomacy through brotherhood **

The commemoration held at St Damiano Msimbazi brought together Capuchin Franciscans, diplomats and leaders from Italy, Switzerland, Egypt and the Vatican. Under the leadership of Giuseppe Coppola, Ambassador of Italy to Tanzania, the occasion also witnessed the launch of Saint Francis of Assisi in Tanzania: A Living Presence, a book highlighting the presence, contribution and continuing relevance of the Franciscan legacy in Tanzania.

Among those present was Nicole Polidori, Ambassador of Switzerland to Tanzania. Her participation also connected the gathering to the longstanding relationship between Tanzania and Europe, particularly through education, community development and social engagement. Msimbazi Centre itself represents an important part of that history. Established in 1962 through the efforts of Swiss missionaries under the leadership of Archbishop Edgar Maranta, the centre reflects Switzerland’s commitment to contributing to Tanzania’s development.

Over the years, it has served as a place for adult education, skills development and community engagement, making it one of the oldest community centres in Tanzania. The story of Msimbazi demonstrates that diplomacy is not confined to embassies, official meetings or political agreements. It can also be expressed through institutions that bring people together, strengthen communities and improve human lives.

‘Ndugu’ as brotherhood as a philosophy of nationhood

At the heart of the Franciscan tradition is the concept of brotherhood, or “Ndugu”. More than a simple expression of respect, the word represents a philosophy grounded in human dignity, social responsibility and the recognition of our shared humanity.

To call another person “Ndugu” is to acknowledge that our lives are connected and that our own wellbeing cannot be separated from the dignity of others. In this respect, the Franciscan understanding of brotherhood finds a powerful resonance in Tanzania’s own intellectual and political tradition.

Julius Nyerere was not a Franciscan, yet his understanding of society placed human dignity and brotherhood at the centre of national life. Through the philosophy of Ujamaa, he promoted a conception of society founded on shared responsibility, equality and human solidarity. The use of “Ndugu”, meaning brother, encouraged Tanzanians to look beyond ethnic and social differences and recognise one another as members of a common national community.

The Ujamaa policy sought to give practical expression to these values, embedding ideals of solidarity and human dignity in the nation’s conception of development and citizenship. Brotherhood, therefore, does not require people to be identical. It begins with accepting difference without denying another person’s dignity. That principle provides an important foundation for coexistence, dialogue and reconciliation. It is also where the Franciscan tradition finds particularly fertile ground in Tanzania.

From warrior to peacemaker

The transformation of St Francis offers another powerful lesson for contemporary diplomacy. As a young man, Francis was ambitious for military glory and heroism. His life, however, took a different direction. He abandoned the path of arms and embraced a calling centred on peace, service and reconciliation.

His transformation presents a different understanding of courage. For St Francis, courage was not simply the ability to defeat an enemy. It was the willingness to recognise the humanity of the other and search for a path that preserved and elevated that humanity.

His journey to Egypt during the Crusades and his encounter with Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil remain enduring symbols of dialogue across religious and political divisions. Francis entered a world dominated by conflict without an army or weapons. What he carried instead were conviction, obedience and words.

The diplomatic lesson is profound. National strength cannot be measured only through military capability. It must also be measured by a nation’s ability to speak when others are preparing to fight, to listen when others are shouting and to create space for reconciliation when division appears inevitable.

In an era when hatred and misinformation can spread within seconds through social media, this lesson has renewed urgency. The world needs a diplomacy of listening before a diplomacy of competition.

**Tanzania and the responsibility to preserve peace **

Tanzania was also represented at the commemoration. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ngwaru Jumanne Maghembe (MP), attended as chief guest representing the Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi.

His participation conveyed the government’s appreciation for the contribution of the Franciscans to Tanzania and underscored the continuing importance of solidarity and cooperation.

Living the Franciscan charism in a world where reconciliation faces growing pressure gives development a broader meaning. Development becomes a bridge between institutions and people, rather than simply a matter of economic advancement.

In this sense, the Church and its institutions contribute to a form of development diplomacy that operates beyond embassies and official diplomatic channels. It is a diplomacy grounded in service, dignity and shared humanity, where institutions encounter communities not merely through policy but through practical concern for human wellbeing.

**The earth as a family **

St Francis’ message also extends beyond human relationships to the natural world. In the Canticle of the Creatures, he did not view the earth simply as a resource created for human consumption. He referred to Brother Sun, Sister Moon, water, wind, earth and even Sister Death, presenting creation through the language of relationship and kinship. That vision finds a profound contemporary echo in Laudato Si’, A Home for All, with its call to care for our common home, and in Fratelli Tutti – All Brothers, with its emphasis on fraternity and social friendship. Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, or “magnificent humanity”, similarly amplifies the importance of human dignity and shared responsibility. From the Canticle of the Creatures to contemporary Catholic social teaching, a continuing intellectual and spiritual thread can be discerned: To honour God, humanity and creation. These responsibilities cannot be separated. They are interconnected and their roots can be traced to the vision of St Francis.

**A lesson for every generation **

Tanzania has a long history of peace, solidarity and national cohesion. Yet peace can never be treated as something permanently guaranteed. Every generation has a responsibility to protect and renew it. The commemoration of St Francis therefore offers Tanzania an opportunity to reflect on its own traditions of peace, coexistence and solidarity.

Franciscan values of humility, brotherhood, reconciliation, solidarity, peace and service to vulnerable people extend beyond the Church and offer principles for ethical leadership, responsible politics, diplomacy and nation-building. When authority is understood as a trust, political differences need not erase shared humanity. When the vulnerable are protected and the environment is respected, society strengthens both peace and the common good.

**Brotherhood as people-topeople diplomacy **

The legacy of St Francis also provides an opportunity to deepen connections between Italy and Tanzania by moving beyond institutional partnership towards people-to-people diplomacy. His message remains remarkably simple and yet profoundly challenging: Peace begins when we recognise the other as a brother and fellow human being. Reconciliation begins within the heart through listening, respecting differences and protecting human dignity.

In Tanzania, “Ndugu” is more than a social expression. It can be understood as an ethical principle for citizenship, leadership and diplomacy. In a world increasingly divided by political, religious, social and cultural differences, genuine strength lies in building bridges rather than reinforcing walls.

“Ndugu”, therefore, becomes more than a word. It becomes a philosophy of national life, a language of diplomacy and a moral foundation for peace. It reminds leaders and citizens alike that power is ultimately a trust, and that leadership finds its highest purpose in service to humanity.

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