Media urged to lead peace process in Africa

AFRICAN media practitioners should champion the process of ensuring a peaceful African continent through providing accurate information to avoid conflicts, an activist has said. Adane Hiwot, the Managing Director, Peace Journey in Africa (PJA) made the call Wednesday while addressing reporters in Kigali. “From our tour, we have realized that there is misunderstanding based on lack of correct information amongst African countries,” Hiwot said, adding that the only way out is telling the truth, which the media is in a position to do. Based in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, PJA a pan-African organization, is on a three phase African continental tour aimed at promoting peace and uniting Africa. The official noted that good things about Africa are never given space in western media outlets, instead negative issues make headlines. “Like in Rwanda, the just concluded peaceful presidential elections and the referendum in Kenya is not big news with the western media,” she noted. In Rwanda, the organization is working in partnership with the Rwanda Youth Network to sensitize and actively involve the youth in the peace process. In his speech Cyrus M. Nkusi, the Country Director, Rwanda Youth Network, said maintaining the spirit of nationalism will also help in peace building of the continent. The PJA team whose first target is East African countries will now head to Burundi having been in Uganda and Kenya. Ends

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Media urged to lead peace process in Africa