The Executive Director of the African Peace building Club Salam Ramani has called on leaders of different political parties seeking for votes to endeavour in encouraging supporters of their parties to propagate the message of peace during their interaction with the electorate.
He said spreading the message of peace was one of the most important factors in building on the peace of the country, which has come to be hailed throughout the world as a beacon of hope in the institutionalisation of the practice of democracy on the continent.
Mr Ramani told the Daily Graphic that without peace there was no way the country could develop and so there was the need to uphold and sustain the peace for national development to take place.
Candidates
Presidential aspirants going around the country canvassing for votes for the 2024 general election, should provide a tranquil environment to encourage peace and unity among people so we have free, fair, and transparent elections,” he said.
He said that political messages to chiefs and their people during campaigns, especially those in conflict areas, must also be in ensuring peace and not to create any form of tension and divisions.
Politicians, Mr. Ramani said, must therefore work at making pronouncements on peace and unity among the citizenry, adding that “The peaceful environment and atmosphere that the nation is experiencing are valuable and must be appreciated by all”.
Responsibility
Our political leaders need to be prepared to take responsibility for their actions if their promises and statements cause conflicts, losses of innocent lives and properties.
Politics should be employed to contribute to national unity, peace, and development, rather than to cause unnecessary tension and divisions and provoke conflicts in the country or part of it,” he said.