On DW TV, this old time musician, Nick Lowe, is singing lyrics that are probably the most recurring thoughts of any commoner whose dire wish is just to be able to go about business as usual in peace. Released in 1974, it still holds pretty much the same forty years down the line:  

As I walk through, this wicked world, searching’ for light in the darkness of insanity, I ask myself, is all hope lost? Is there only pain and hatred, and misery? …And as I walked on, through troubled times, my spirit gets so downhearted sometimes. So where are the strong? And who are the trusted? And where is the harmony? ‘Cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me wanna cry. What’s so funny about peace love & understanding?

Even as he sings, the breaking news is about some other fighting and destruction in Africa and the Middle East, women and children scrambling for shelter, and a number of men falling victims of just being men and getting killed in the bargain. It is senseless brutality where the wrath of angry relatives and friends of a fallen victim turn into another cycle of killings and repercussion.

It is interesting in this modern world. One would think we are now at that level of civilisation, where it is considered backward thinking to wage war as a solution to political differences. The notion of give and take is still a far cry in the less developed countries and it does not help that there is no comfort in the sense of justice the world offers.  

It is often selective, one sided and based on where one’s interest lies. Myanmar’s human rights hero and politician Aung San SuuKyi once said during an interview, that ‘you cannot come to the negotiating table when one party feels insecure’.

Although this can be done, it does not spell lasting peace until good effort is put into securing the confidence of the aggrieved party. Perhaps the saddest thing is that often, personal disgruntlement is propagandized to hoodwink the ignorant into creating skirmishes.

But there are also many cases where a simple protest by an interest group presents quick opportunity for a government opposition to turn it into an ugly riot.  

The common intention here is that civilians are used as pawn for causes that are not truly intended for them. Such selfish intentions are regardless of the toll of human suffering and development setbacks.

The year 2013 was full of wars and rebellions that unfortunately set back development by a few decades, particularly on the African Continent. It is therefore a bold step taken by Rwanda to promote ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ – that is ‘I am Umunyarwanda’ – campaign that promotes nationalism over tribalism, ethnicity or religion.  

These three have been the most abused issues that are so petty, but fronted in most of the ugly rebellions in Africa and some other parts of the world that are in turmoil.

Although some scorn this as an attempt to abolish ethnicities, in my opinion, it is a very balanced way of valuing an individual, first and foremost as a national with equal rights to yourself, whether black, white or yellow; and then secondly, as a tribe, or religion if necessary.

The unfortunate thing in Africa is that even the most ignorant of on-going political squabbles are implicated and have to face the insecurity of simply being who they were born to be.

Discrimination is faced at all levels of society, but it becomes hard when you get targeted because of your origin or religion, but mostly the former that you cannot change even if you wanted to.

When it comes to village level, this bias becomes a dangerous tool for a vengeful heart that has issues with its neighbour, and as is often in rural settings, that is very prone to petty jealousies.

This kind of insecurity is an easy spark to uprisings where one party feels cornered. It is senseless battle. Apart from providing some aspect of (often false) historical background, the modern person is usually born from a whole mix of backgrounds that make it hard to decipher where they truly belong.

Which makes one wonder why for example, President Barack Obama of the USA, is considered the first black President, and not at least a mixed race President, or even a white President for that matter?

After all, he is half white and half black. Whoever would target him as a black person makes it senseless because he is not.

With the New Year, let us hope our common values change for the better on this continent and for Rwanda in particular. As we put forward our common value as Abanyarwanda, we should pray that it holds strong for each Rwandan as a national, regardless of background.

May this be also for the whole of Africa! Can we pass the torch for lasting peace around Africa? Can we trust ourselves to be mature enough to put nation above self, at the same time have empathy for those in our communities that can hardly meet their needs, let alone prolonged wars of unnecessary hatred and de-campaign?

May God grant Rwanda and Africa, at large, a blessed and prosperous New Year 2014, where love, peace and understanding aren’t incredulous, but a reality.