It is time that all those who are concerned of the tragic consequence of war to civilians form a coalition to have a stronger voice for peace.
By Petros Tesfagherghis
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his exalted “I Have a Dream” speech.
March on Washington, political demonstration held in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963, that was attended by an estimated 250,000 people to protest racial discrimination and to show support for major civil rights legislation that was pending in Congress.
In this critical moment in time Governments, Human Rights Organisations, Civil societies, religious leaders horrified by civilian killings, looting, raping women, the influx of huge number of refugees to exile and millions internally displaced people(IDPS) are calling to stop the wars and demand peace. With such commitment for peace they can form a coalition of peace to push the fighting forces to accept seize fire and settle any dispute peacefully.
Civilians caught in various wars have stories of atrocities to tell. Stories from Ukraine, Ethiopia, Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon etc. The invasion of Tigray, a region of Ethiopia, was particularly brutal that included ethnic cleansing of Tigreans. That is why at that time I wrote an article title “Justice for the people of Tigray and their vanguard TPLF”.
The case of Eritrea is another tragic story. In June 2015, on behave of the UN Commission of Inquiry in Eritrea Mike Smith presenting their findings said, “The many violations in Eritrea are of a scope and scale seldom seen anywhere else in today’s world. A massive domestic surveillance network penetrates all levels of society, turning even family members against each other. Much of the population is subjected to forced conscription and labour sometime in slave like conditions. Tens of thousands have been imprisoned often without charge and for indefinite period”.
The Inquiry commission came to a conclusion saying “Since 1991 Crime against humanity has been committed in Eritrea by the Eritrean authorities” and made referral to the International Criminal court- but the UN general assembly ignored it. The UN has let down the people of Eritrea. The decision made Isaias untouchable and encouraged him to interfere in the invasion of Tigray and elsewhere.
Ethiopia: EEPA reported, “Over 100 people have been killed in drone strikes and indiscriminate attacks in the South Mecha district of North Gojjam Zone in the Amhara region since the beginning of October. Eyewitnesses blame Ethiopian government forces. The surge in kidnappings across the Amhara and Oromia regions has been documented by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over the past period. Abductions to get ransom money are carried out by various armed groups.
Sudan: Belgium based Europe External Program with Africa (EEPA) on September 2024 reported. A starvation crisis in Sudan reached “historic proportions” with children starving to death and over 25 million people, more than half of the population, facing acute food insecurity, warned the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Danish Refugee Council, and Mercy Corps in a joint statement.
Gaza and Lebanon: 41 000 people were killed in Gaza and the Israel bombing was extended to Lebanon where 1,000 people have been killed since attacks started in October 2024. Every day the situation continues to get worse. The Lebanese government estimates that around 1 million people are displaced at this point. There is no safe place left. And many families are struggling to find a place to sleep.
Such being the desperate situation the effort of women calling for peace is very significant and deserves support by the general public particularly Students.
During the ongoing US presidential debate. Kamala Harris the democratic Party candidate referring to the grave situation in Gaza said “What we know is that this war must end. It must end immediately, and the way it will end is we need a ceasefire deal.
A conference titled Creators of Peace: Reimagining democracy took place by zoom on 16 September 2024 from the hall of “Initiative for Change” in London.
The conference launched a manifesto of ideas that prevent wars. It was prepared by Ukraine women that have lived through wars. This manifesto presents ideas designed to foster inclusivity, accountability, and innovation, challenging the status quo to ensure that every voice is heard and valued.
Nazek Ramadan director of Migrant Voice in UK wrote on face book. “The war must end, the genocide in Gaza and elsewhere must end, the hate and killings must end; only peace will bring peace.
In UK a very active organisation called migrant organise run by the executive director Zrinka Bralo has been active in lobbying and demonstrating to accept refugees and immigrants under the famous banner “PROTECT PEOPLE NOT BORDERS”.
In a conference which took place in Uganda in October” Mrs Hadiya Hasebela the president of an association in defence of Sudanese women– spoke of the urgent need to stop the war and open corridors to bring food to the people who are in grave danger of starvation. Also to give Sudanese civilians a role in the peace process.
As soon as the war started in Sudan the women came out to protest against the wars.
The peace movements can use positive narrative of justice, humanitym and friendship. It is profoundly important to acknowledge that sharing the same values of peace acts as a glue which binds people together. Peace is also a healing process for all those affected by wars.
In this moment in time peace movement is missing inside Eritrea. When the senseless war between Ethiopia and Eritrea started in May 1998 the Eritrean women lost no time and took to the streets immediately walking for many hours to reach St Marry Church located in Asmara City centre as they pray for peace. The Government did not tolerate it, and banned demonistration ever since as not to be an example. We must also raise the call that the Eritrean troops are withdrawn from the areas they occupy in Tigray as part of the peace movement. The sad thing is thousands of Eritrean troops have died in the Ethiopian civil war that does not concern Eritrea and the parents of the dead have not been told. For Isaias the life of the Eritrean regime does not matter. He has sent 300 soldiers to Somalia. Let the Eritreans just seeker civilians follow the footsteps of the civilians in Sudan, Ukraine and be part of the peace movement.
