Stakeholders must foster peace to ensure development

AFTER we celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2021, running under the theme Recovering Better for an Equitable and Sustainable World, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) implores all stakeholders to engage and work together in fostering peace building initiatives to ensure sustainable peace and development in the country.

The International Day of Peace or Peace Day is observed around the World annually on September 21. Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all and to contribute to building a culture of peace.

As Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating this special day, Zesn strongly believes that peace can be sustained through a multi-stakeholder approach and appreciation of the unique roles each stakeholder plays.

The network calls for the strengthening of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), faith-based organisations (FBOs), civic society organisations (CSOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), educational institutions, political parties and the media as they are critical stakeholders in fostering a culture of peace and tolerance in society.

Zesn acknowledges and applauds the significant role that NPRC, ZHRC, FBOs, CSOs and CBOs play in conflict resolution, through peace-building education and teaching, early warning, mediation, emergency relief and support, information and data collecting as well as advocacy.

Educational institutions, on the other hand, are key as they are conduits of values of peace, coexistence and tolerance.

Further, Zesn notes the significant role played by the traditional justice system which has seen traditional leaders being consulted to foster reconciliation within the community on many issues including political and electoral matters.

The network thus calls upon the government and CSOs to provide traditional leaders with the requisite skills in public administration, developmental policies and law so that they can effectively settle community disputes in their jurisdictions as vanguards of traditional law.

Zesn calls upon the government to strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms and early warning systems to ensure that peace, tolerance and respect for human rights are upheld in Zimbabwe. Zesn is committed to the promotion of peaceful, democratic and credible elections in Zimbabwe.