14/10/2025
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF PEACE ?
Most times we hear governments especially in developing countries say:
~ People are going about their normal duties.
~ Normalcy has returned to the area.
~ We are on top of the situation.
~ There's no cause for alarm.
~ Security of lives and property is Paramount to us .
~ etc .
Whereas the same area or society is bedeviled by
fear,
tension,
anxiety,
suspicion, and uncertainties of what will happen the next moment.
A peace scholar by name Francis defines peace as absence of war, conflict, violence as well as absence of fear, anxiety, and suffering, Francis (2006).
What that means is that apart from war, conflict and violence,
if there are fears, anxieties, etc. there is no peace.
Also if your citizens or fellow citizens are suffering as a result of bad policies of their rulers, there's still no peace.
There are many countries in Africa and other developing continents today whose citizens are paying salaries to private security operatives - none State actors to man their areas and streets before they can sleep at night.
Yet people living in those areas would tell you "our area is peaceful"
What is the idea of peace in this context compared to the above peace scholar - Francis' definition ?
I, my humble self I pay salary to private security guards not to secure my house but to look after the entire range of the area that we live.
Do you also pay for street security in your area ?
What about governments security operatives ?
Let's meet at the comment section for interactions and recommendations.
Peace has no substitute !
