Effectiveness of Integrated Border Management for National Security in Tanzania:

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of integrated border management for national security in the Arusha region in Tanzania. Specifically, the study identifies integrated border management strategies used for national security at Namanga Border, found out the extent of effectiveness of the integrated border management strategies, and examined challenges facing integrated border management for national security at Namanga Border in Arusha Region Tanzania. The study was guided by the Panic Theory of Border Control, the Mutual Benefits Theory, and the Segmentation theory. The study used a mixed approach and adopted a parallel convergent research design. Interview guide and questionnaires were used to collect data. Cluster-based simple random sampling and purposive sampling were used in selecting 47 respondents, including 18 Immigration officers, 5 Customs officers, 12 Police officers, 8 clearing and forwarding officers, as well as 4 heads of department. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that integrated border management strategies depend on intra-service, inter-agency, and international collaboration strategies. Intra service cooperation strategies include cooperation between central, regional, and local levels in each agency and the exchange of information within one ministry/agency. Inter-agency cooperation strategies are coordinated processing at border crossings, joint responsibilities, and awareness-building among agencies. International collaboration strategies consist of regional collaboration among authorities from both sides of the border, mutual collaboration among adjacent nations, and multinational collaboration. Major challenges facing integrated border management for national security at Namanga Border are mainly the lack of adequate, relevant tools and border infrastructures, lack of customs harmonization, corruption among officers, border disputes, the lack of sufficient staff, lack of proper communication technology and lack of proper co-ordination within and among agencies. The study concludes that Intra-agency cooperation, inter-agency cooperation and international cooperation as integrated border management strategies are effective to a greater extent for national security. The study recommends the Government of Tanzania, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, work towards updating and improving coordination and cooperation among all agencies at the Namanga border. There should be political agreements between Presidents and Ministers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ministry of Finance, as well as the Ministry of Defense and National Service for Tanzania and Kenya to enhance cross-border cooperation at the Namanga Border and should be a priority for both governments in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of integrated border management for national security