The Role of Intelligence Collection and Analysis in National Security in Tanzania:

Abstract

National security is a critical concern for countries worldwide. Tanzania is among the nations that have made efforts to establish intelligence collection and analysis structures, such as District Security Committees, to ensure national security. These committees are responsible for coordinating security activities at the district level, including intelligence collection and analysis. This study investigated the roles of intelligence collection and analysis in national security in Tanzania, with a specific focus on district security committees in Babati, Kilindi and Rombo. The study explores how intelligence collection and analysis contribute to effective decision-making and policy formulation for enhancing national security in Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach was applied for data collection and analysis. The study's sample size consisted of 99 respondents, including 90 police officers and 9 members of district security committees from three districts: Babati, Kilindi, and Rombo. Data collection methods included key informant interviews, surveys, and document analysis. The study identified eight roles of District Security Committees in intelligence collection and analysis. These roles include preparing security plans, generating security evaluation reports, providing security advice to other government agencies, issuing directives to law enforcement agencies, identifying socio-economic problems posing security threats, considering applications for citizenship, handling applications for the ownership of arms and explosives, and evaluating food security status. Furthermore, the study revealed three intelligence collection methods: open sources, coded methods, and human intelligence methods. Additionally, intelligence analysis methods such as fusion analysis, structured analysis, SWOT analysis, and link analysis were identified. The study's key findings demonstrated effectiveness of intelligence collection and analysis in various aspects of national security, including prevention of terrorism, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. Other aspects include ensuring public safety, preventing food crisis, and addressing land conflicts. Despite these successes, the study also identified five challenges facing District Security Committees, including a lack of public trust, insufficient resources, inadequate training, lack of modern technology for intelligence collection and analysis, and limited intelligence structures at the local government level. To improve intelligence collection and analysis, the study identified four opportunities, including enhancing intelligence training, establishing intelligence structures in local government authorities, allocating sufficient resources, and improving the transparency of reporting intelligence information.