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Local government leadership strategies in land dispute resolution: Insights from Buhigwe District, Tanzania
Elias Mseti
Abstract
This study examined the influence of local government leadership on resolving land conflict in Buhigwe District, Tanzania, a common form of social grievance and hindrance to development. Using transformational leadership theory as a theoretical lens for the study, a quantitative, positivist approach was applied, which involved surveys using structured questionnaires for the 259 participants. Both local leaders and community members were selected using stratified and simple random sampling. Leadership styles and land dispute resolution outcome were assessed using binary logistic regression. The findings indicate that community-based forms of leadership influence land conflict outcomes, particularly informal dialogue (AOR = 23.08, 95% CI: 6.27 - 84.94, p < 0.001), negotiation (AOR = 17.68, 95% CI: 3.62 - 86.259, p < 0.001), consultation (AOR = 10.30, 95% CI: 3.62 - 29.3, p < 0.001), inclusive practices (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.37 - 7.12, p = 0.007), community meetings (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.17 - 6.19, p = 0.019) and awareness sessions (AOR = 19.79, 95% CI: 1.76 - 222.87, p = 0.016) that all build trust, cooperation, and lasting peace in conflict situations. In the adjusted model, mediation and legal and administrative processes are not effective predictors, presenting possible limitations to their current implementation of these forms of conflict resolution. Overall, the study illustrates that local leadership is an effective avenue for dispute resolution; however, local actors should now be supported as a reflection of the principle of devolution through financial and technical capacity and national government support for local government actors. In order to strengthen local governance and achieve land justice in rural Tanzania, formal recognition of the customary authorities by the central government is further suggested, along with a more public dispute resolution protocol for investigations of local customary authorities.
