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Campagne Semaines Pascales 2003
Contributions
Peace, a valuable asset
By Rev. NJA'AH Peter Toh, Ecumenical Youth Peace Initiative Commission
Contribution
to
the
round-table
conference
on
7th
May
2003,
Bamenda
Introduction
The
theme,
together
for
security
in
Justice
and
Peace
is
a
calling
from
God.
It
is
both
a
mission
and
mandate,
in
which
God
assigns
to
a
community
life,
in
which
each
of
us
is
a
keeper
of
one
another.
It
is
a
call
for
solidarity
mutual
understanding
and
Peaceful
co-existence.
This
implies
faithfulness
to
the
fulfilment
of
the
Ecumenical
imperative.
But
however,
the
major
challenge
of
dealing
with
diversity,
male/female,
different
ages,
different
ethnicities,
different
ideologies
and
political
persuasions,
and
many
other
differences.
The
challenge
inherent
in
God’s
call
is
the
call
to
KOINONIA,
to
fellowship
with
one
another.
Real
KOINONIA,
affirms
community
and
communion
with
people,
who
may
be
very
diverse,
accept
one
another,
live
with
and
empower
one
another
to
use
the
diverse
gifts
in
the
interest
of
the
entire
community.
Such
a
community
is
said
to
live
in
peace.
Peace
is
therefore
broken
when
real
KOINONIA
is
broken,
consequently
attention
to
building
KOINONIA
is
committed
to
building
Peace
which
leads
to
security.
This
explains
why
the
second
aspect
of
the
theme
suggest
the
need
to
re-establish
the
KOINONIA,
because
there
is
a
breach
of
social
cohesion
and
therefore
no
social
peace
is
justice
for
security.
I
have
been
asked
to
talk
on
aspects
of
peace
that
are
instrumental
to
ensure,
Justice
and
Security.
I
am
afraid
this
approach
can
be
misleading
because
it
is
rather
Justice
that
is
an
element
for
Peace.
In
order
words,
Peace
without
justice
is
rather
a
meaningless
concept,
although
this
is
not
to
suggest
that
the
pursuit
of
Justice
and
the
pursuit
of
Peace
are
one
and
the
same
thing.
This
is
peace
pursues
Justice
while
at
the
same
maintains
a
positive
relationship
of
respect
and
mutuality
with
the
person
from
whom
justice
is
sought
;
“See
restorative
justice”.
Definitions
of
terms
To
better
understand
the
choice
of
this
theme
:
“Together
for
security
in
Justice
and
Peace”,
let’s
attempts
a
definition
of
the
concept
of
Justice,
Peace,
and
Security
and
their
relationship.
1
–
Justice
To
my
lay
understanding
;
Justice
as
a
concept
describes
a
situation
of
fairness,
right
relationship,
dealing
justly
or
nightly
with
others.
In
law
it
may
mean
fair
trial
and
equity
:
giving
to
each
person
his/her
due.
Justice
itself
is
a
relative
concept,
because
it
is
never
interpreted
the
same,
it
differs
from
one
context
to
the
other.
2
–
Peace
Peace
as
a
concept
is
also
relatively
perceived.
This
is
because
there
are
various
schools
of
thought.
Peace
to
others
may
mean
the
absence
of
war.
In
this
type
of
Peace,
where
there
are
human
rights
abuse,
so
long
as
there
is
no
war,
there
is
Peace.
It
is
also
common
to
hear
that
to
prepare
for
war
is
to
prepare
for
Peace.
Perhaps
the
allied
coalition
forces
have
just
done
that
in
Iraq.
That’s
why
many
weapons
are
manufactured
in
self
defence,
North
Korea,
of
course
these
are
done
in
order
to
prepare
for
future
peace.
Also
in
this
type
of
Peace
where
there
a
human
rights
abuse,
so
yet
others
view
peace
as
situation
where
these
is
tranquillity,
no
disagreements,
or
disputes,
where
conflicts
are
banished
and
people,
individually
and
collectively,
live
in
calm
and
security.
There
is
mutual
respect
for
one
another.
This
type
of
Peace
relates
to
respect
of
human
Rights.
Orders,
view
Peace
in
relationship
to
God.
The
Christians
view
Peace
as
a
Shalom,
the
muslims
view
Peace
as
Salam.
These
two
religion
expresses,
Peace
as
a
relation
;
not
only
to
God
but
to
the
neighbour,
and
the
surrounding,
where
each
and
every
one
has
concerns
for
one
another.
3 – Security
A
secured
situation
is
one
where
there
are
no
threats,
of
danger,
no
fear,
where
there
is
mutual
trust
and
confidence,
free
movements,
freedom
of
speech
etc.
Relationships
From
the
above
definitions,
we
seem
to
have
been
describing
ideal
or
utopic
situations
which
are
very
difficult
to
find
in
society.
We
earlier
mentioned
that
there
are
major
challenges
of
dealing
with
diversity.
Peace
may
manifest
outwardly,
but
inwardly,
there
is
turmoil,
fear,
uncertainty,
people
may
suffer
psychologically
without
any
means
to
express
themselves.
Elsewhere,
a
situation
may
be
called
peaceful
because
Peace
has
been
imposed.
Pool
legal,
political
situation
may
impose
negative
peace.
Negative
because
it
doesn’t
come
from
the
society,
but
from
repressive
regime.
A
vivid
description
of
the
situation
of
Cameroon,
will
elucidate
the
fact
that
Cameroon
is
not
an
Island
of
peace
as
portrayed
by
politicians.
Cameroon
is
facing
a
situation
of
gradual
disintegration
:
(-
See
my
book
:
the
Anglophone
problem
and
prospects
:
for
non-violent
transformation
:
orders,
could
be
obtain
from
Ecumenical
youth
Peace
Initiative
Commission.
P.O.Box
284
Bamenda
Cameroon).
There
are
threats
for
separations
from
the
former
British
Southern
Cameroons,
the
Northern
Part
of
Cameroon,
Poor
Governance,
Economic
decline,
Poor
electoral
laws
;
corruption
etc.
which
have
given
rise
to
ethnic
sentimentalism,
and
polarization
yet,
there
is
no
war.
Reason
because
of
repressive
system.
Less
freedom
of
speech,
Human
Rights
abuse,
detentions
without
trial
etc.
Positive
Peace
is
a
result
of
just
laws,
good
governance,
etc.
Positive
peace
comes
of
the
community.
It
is
never
imposed.
Without
this,
there
can
be
no
justice,
no
security.
Justice
can
be
implemented
relatively
to
produce
Peace
and
Security.
There
are
many
facets
of
justice
;
namely,
restorative,
communal
and
retributive
justice.
Restorative justice pursues Peace, while maintains a right relationship of respect and mutuality with the person from whom justice is sought. It restorative because, it rehumanises the concerns, such justice negotiates, mediates and brings reconciliation. This can give birth to positive Peace. Like restorative justice, communal justice follows, laws of the laid, based of communal values, norms and ethnics. This type of love calls for love and forgiveness. It recognises those involve as persons, and aims as social integration, based on consensus. This is common with traditional societies. Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) often take such justice into consideration. This type of law can contribute positively to peace and security.
Retributive
justice,
punishes
with
the
consequence
of
creating
enmity
as
it
sows
the
seed
for
revenge.
Although
this
approach
is
aim
at
maintaining
law
and
order,
it
sows
seeds
of
hatred,
and
in
security.
In
order
to
achieve,
security,
justice
and
peace,
all
of
the
above
concepts
must
work
together.
Stake
Holders
of
security
justice
and
peace
A – Family
The family is the nucleus of the state. The relationship between parents have a lot of influence on the children. Husband and wife need respect for one another : I peter 3, 1-7. The Bible admonishes us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. A violent family raises violent child, a peaceful family raises peaceful children. This has impact on the society. It can either bring justice, injustice, security or insecurity, etc.
B – The society at large
Many
families
form
a
society
or
community.
The
relationship
determines
the
type
of
society.
The
way
they
manage
their
diversities
can
produce,
a
peaceful
or
un
peaceful
situation,
a
just
or
an
unjust
society.
Here
the
civil
society
plays
an
important
role.
C – The State
By
state,
I
mean
the
nation.
Security,
justice
and
peace,
are
ingredient
of
a
coherent
state.
Many
states
are
in
decay
because,
they
lack
:
Good
governance
programmes
;
No
separation
of
powers,
by
the
executive,
legislative,
judicially
case
of
Cameroon
;
Poor
electoral
law
;
Bad
economy
Policies
;
Lack
of
dialogue.
Recommendation
I
remember,
Dr.
Lederach
Jean
Paul,
asking
me
to
read
from
Psalm
85
:10
:
which
reads,
“Mercy
and
truth
have
met
together
;
Righteousness
and
Peace
have
kissed
:
(NKJV)
This
means
in
order
to
produce
a
society
where
there
is
security,
justice
and
peace,
we
to
love
one
another,
we
need
to
speak
the
truth,
show
kindness,
forgiveness.
All
these
must
work
together.
Peace
is
very
instrumental
to
Human
Development.
Further Research
Religious
pluralism
and
the
quest
for
Peace
in
Cameroon.
A
proposal
for
the
way
forward.
Rev.
NJAAH
Peter
Toh
-
Executive
Director,
(Founder)
Ecumenical
Youth
Peace
Initiative
Commission
-
Central
African
Youth
Co-ordinator
All
Africa
Conference
of
Churches.
AACC
-
Member,
climate
change
Team
WCC
-
Mediator,
for
Southern
Cameroons
National
Council,
b/n
Gov’t
Cameroon,
UNO
Recent work Published
Anglophone
problem
in
Cameroon,
the
prospects
for
non-violent
transformation.
MA
Theology,
MA,
Conflict
Resolution,
Ph.
Student,
University
of
South
Africa
UNISA.