REVISITING TANZANIA’S SOVEREIGNTY CONTROL OVER NATURAL RESOURCE: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Tanzania is endowed with abundant natural resources and has pursued its sovereignty over natural recourses to harness resources for national development. This paper examines the legal framework governing the same in Tanzania, with a focus on key legislative instruments, policies, and international obligations. It explores the balance between promoting foreign investment and safeguarding national interests in resource management.
The analysis highlights critical challenges, including regulatory gaps, corruption, capacity limitations, and tensions arising from community expectations versus state control. Furthermore, it assesses how recent legal reforms aim to address these issues.
This Article also identifies opportunities for enhancing resource governance. These include leveraging modern technology for resource monitoring, fostering public-private partnerships, and empowering local communities through benefit-sharing arrangements. Strengthening institutional frameworks and improving enforcement mechanisms emerge as pivotal steps for sustainable resource sovereignty.
This study concludes by offering recommendations to ensure that Tanzania’s legal regime aligns with its development goals while addressing challenges inherent in achieving resource sovereignty.
Keywords: Sovereignty, Legal framework, natural wealth and resources, independence and sustainable development.
