Many scholars contributed inspirational quotes on peace. Hafsat Abiola is one of them. He compiled a number of motivational documents in connection to the role of stakeholders in ensuring longlasting peace. One of his quotes goes like “Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, towards creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.” In fact, at a peaceful environment, people might not sense the precious value of peace.
They may not also apprehend whether it is the most priceless constituent of all necessities. In this earthly life, nix is achievable unless there is peace and harmony among the people. In state of affairs where there is no peace, it is really an inconceivable to have political and socio-economic developments.
Realities on the ground fairly witnessed people around the world have turned out to be victims of conflicts. A great number of rows have been occurring in different countries causing unprecedented calamity due to the failure of stakeholders to effectively shoulder their roles. The veracity in our country has concurred with the aforementioned breakdown.
The debilitated participation of stakeholders: the media, political parties, the public and religious fathers, is one of the solemn challenges to the country’s endeavour towards ensuring durable peace. The media, for instance, have chipped in little efforts in carrying out their roles of promoting serene coexistence among the society. In my view, some of them are even busy in adding fuel to the fire. At this time in point, the media have confused stances towards shouldering their responsibility of ascertaining peace and stability.
Some of them came to a sticky end to set their agendas in line with the efforts of the government and the need of the people to end disputes and ensure a long-term peace.
The failure of the media to set peace agendas and effectively communicate attempts the government has been doing to realize peace in the country has been negatively influencing the public expressly the youth. Without exaggeration, all the people in all walk of life and every corner of the country has been praying for peace in their own languages.
In the contradictory to the interest of the people, some of the media have been aggravating conflicts through their irresponsible coverage. Besides, there are some groups with different interests who have been instigating instability, exerting unreserved efforts to destabilize the country. Such ill activities should be vividly pictured by the media to the public so that they could comprehend the motives and take the necessary measures. Therefore, there is need for the media to carry out a paradigm shift in setting its agendas so as to carry out its major roles as its current trend is contradictory to what it should be.
The federal media simply run their routines ‘business as usual’ with high reservation of criticisms; whereas, the regional media pay little attention to peaceful coexistence and smooth people to people relations. Both of them have deviated not only from the interest of the people but also from the very profession of peace journalism. Above all, the media do not discharge their social responsibilities of paving ways for peaceful coexistence and togetherness. If I could lend the words of Martin Luther King coined as “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”. The media should bring hope to the people, should advocate peaceful coexistence and togetherness having liberated themselves from old barriers and stereotypes. In this regard, the government has been working for forgiveness, love and unison among all nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. It has been repeatedly expressing its desire to enhance peaceful coexistence. Despite the availability of better opportunities in Ethiopia to live together, there is failure on the side of the media to educate the people in the same tempo. Although religious doctrines advocate peace, there is little success.
The Bible emphasized working for peace is the best thing people who love their God would do. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God …” (Matthew 5:9). The Qur’an has also verses emphasizing the need to work for peace.
The word ‘Islam’ by itself means peace and ‘submission to the will of Allah’. In fact, it is undeniable that religious fathers have wielded some endeavours to prop up peace but they do not have a success story because they either have not preached it well or their followers gave them deaf ears. Moreover, the political parties have also failed to discharge their responsibilities in ascertaining peace. As part and parcel of the reform, the government allowed all political parties to run their political agendas without any imposition. Due to this measure, different political parties have begun to participate in the country’s socio-economic and political affairs.
The tricky matter is still there are divergences in some parts of the country perturbing the entire peace scenario. Although the bona fide cause for such conflicts is so far blurred, some analysts believed it might be instigated by some political groups. If lasting peace is to flourish in the country, the people should collaborate with the government and other peace loving groups. Moreover, they have to keep themselves away from groups who want to use them for their own hidden agendas. Rather, they, as usual, should maintain their assets of tolerance and togetherness.
The government, the people, political parties, religious fathers and the media should consolidate efforts while discharging their responsibility in building peace. Above all, the government should enforce a binding law that could help to end unnecessary conflicts and mobilize the public for peaceful coexistence. I would like to conclude my piece with John F. Kennedy’s quote that goes like, “Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures”. Therefore, all stakeholders have to discharge their roles having ended their old barriers.
Herald January 4/2019
BY KALEAB ADMASSU
