African activists, artists launch promotion for peace and cohesion

A group of African artists and activists have launched a promotion to end all forms of violence and set in motion a grassroots civil society campaign to promote peace. The coalition of community activists, artists, victims of war, academics, business leaders and African youth launched the promotion on Monday in Nairobi.

During the launch, Emmanuel Jal, a South Sudanese musician and the spokesman for the coalition, said African leaders cannot rid the continent of conflict on their own and they need support. He added that peace is a collective effort and starts within people and does not only come from leaders.

"We are losing the battle to end hostilities. Ours is a call to action. We have come together from different backgrounds and different nations to create a positive, global awakening, responding to the African Union's call for pledges for peace. We need every African citizen galvanized to make peace a reality and to rid the continent of war and civil unrest. Peace is you and me," Jal said.

As part of the launch, the coalition released a short animation under the endorsement of the African Union Commission, My Pledge for Peace. The animation is narrated by Nigerian actor Folu Storms, Nigerian Grammy-nominated singer Niniola Apata, South African musician Zoe Modiga and Jal, and invites all Africans to show their commitment to peace with a hand gesture and a pledge.

According to Storms, dialogue is key to finding a lasting solution to violent conflicts in Africa, which are fuelled by competition for resources and the unregulated flow of small arms.

"There are many complex and interdependent challenges to achieving peace, but every conflict resolution starts with a conversation. Today we are having that conversation and galvanizing citizens to make a commitment to actualizing the AU's vision of a conflict-free continent," Storms said.

"African citizens need to unite against war and civil unrest on the continent. We are losing the battle to end all conflict. If we don't unite now, divided we will fall," she added.

Modiga said that many debates around improving the human condition have surged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic this year. She added that Africa has seen acts of violence across the continent and witnessed the effects of systemic oppression. A global conversation with practical solutions is the highest priority now.

On her part, Apata noted that the challenges confronting Africa today require everyone to work together.

"While our differences are what make us human, it's only by working together that we can draw sufficient strength to heal what we have harmed and to mend what we have broken," Apata said.

Karabo Mokgonyana, the African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace, said that all it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing. She added that it is time for Africans to make their voices heard and actions count.

During a summit held over the weekend, African leaders resolved to rally behind efforts to end hostilities and involve grassroots organizations in advancing peace and stability. The leaders acknowledged that terrorism, conflicts and the climate crisis are having a devastating impact on livelihoods of vulnerable groups, like refugees, migrants, women, youth, children and the elderly.