Tanzania’s Minister of Defence and National Service, Stergomena Tax, announced that her ministry has received a special budget increase of Sh. 1.6 trillion (USD 633 million) for the 2023/24 financial year to support ongoing operations outside the country and equipment purchases.
The minister reported this yesterday, May 20, 2024, during the tabling of the defense ministry budget. The country budgeted to increase its defense spending to a total of Shs. 3.32 trillion for the financial year 2024/25.
Speaking regarding the budget increase for the current financial year, which concludes in June 2024, she said: “The Ministry has received additional funds totaling 1,648,083,492,153.66 Shillings for specific tasks, including financing various contracts for tools and equipment, paying contractual debts for tools and equipment to local and foreign suppliers.
She continued on the purpose of the budget add-on: “To support officers and soldiers in various operations, including the Southern African Development Community Mission to Combat Terrorism in Mozambique (SADC Mission in Mozambique – SAMIM) and the Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SADC Mission in DRC – SAMIDRC).”
In the financial year 2023/24, the Ministry of Defense was allocated a total Shs. 2.98 Trillion, the Ministry has reported that a total of Sh. 2.38 Trillion (80%) has already been disbursed by April 2024 outside the budget add-on.
Summing up the budget add-on and the allocated budget, the Ministry will receive a total of Tshs. 4.6 Trillion, making this the largest spending the country has incurred in defense in recent years.
The army has been advocating for the modernization of its equipment and resources in recent years. The current spending reflects Tanzania’s commitment to securing its borders and ensuring it has a decisive advantage in its operations.
In its report, the Ministry highlighted that the situation at the border between Tanzania and Mozambique remains uncertain due to the attack by the terrorist group Ansar Al Sunna Wal Jamaah (AASWJ).
Analysts point out that the scheduled withdrawal of SADC forces and the presence of Rwanda forces around Tanzania’s southern borders will likely affect the decision that Tanzania will take regarding its operations in Mozambique.
Aside from SAMIM, Tanzania has also contributed additional troops as part of its bilateral agreement with Mozambique.
