Every year on September 21st, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Peace, a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among nations. But while the vision of global peace is beautiful, it is also fragile.
As we look around the world today, it’s clear that the obstacles to peace are many, but there is one subtle, insidious force that threatens peace in ways we often overlook: ego.
I am reminded of the timeless story of two brothers who, after a bitter conflict, built a creek to divide their farms. One day, the older brother asked a carpenter to build a fence to further distance himself from his sibling.
But when he returned, he found that the carpenter had built a bridge over the creek instead. That simple act of wisdom led the brothers to reconcile and meet in the middle of the bridge. This story reminds us that peace comes from building bridges, not walls.
As Dr Ephraim Isaac, a renowned peacemaker and scholar, once told me, the greatest barrier to peace is ego. Dr Isaac, who has spent decades mediating conflicts from Ethiopia to the Middle East, explained that ego—the need for dominance, the fear of appearing weak, the insistence on being right—stands at the heart of most conflicts.
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When I asked him why peace remains so elusive in the world, his answer was simple yet profound: “Because of ego.” His words resonated deeply, as I saw how ego, on both individual and national levels, prevents the very peace we gather to celebrate today.
Ego’s role in global conflicts
Ego plays a central role in the world’s most enduring conflicts. Take the ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestine, where both sides are locked in their narratives of historical injustice. Ego keeps each side from acknowledging the legitimacy of the other’s pain.
The refusal to compromise, driven by the fear that yielding would mean defeat, perpetuates a cycle of violence. The same walls of pride that divided the two brothers in the story above are now the barriers preventing peace in the Middle East.
In Ukraine, the story is much the same. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not just about territory; it is about a broader geopolitical contest driven by national pride. Russia, viewing NATO’s expansion as a threat to its sovereignty, responded from a place of ego, determined to maintain its influence.
NATO, too, driven by its own strategic pride, has pushed forward. As a result, Ukraine has become the battleground for this clash of egos, with devastating consequences for its people.
In South Asia, the decades-long tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir are similarly entrenched in national ego. Both nations, driven by a need to assert dominance, refuse to compromise on the issue, leaving generations of Kashmiris caught in the crossfire. Neither side wants to be seen as weak, and so the conflict festers.
Across the globe—in Venezuela’s political deadlock, Ethiopia’s civil war, and countless other conflicts—ego is the silent force that turns negotiable disputes into protracted violence. Leaders refuse to back down, fearing that doing so would damage their reputation or power. The cost, as we’ve seen, is measured in human lives.
Why peace matters in Tanzania
Here in Tanzania, we are fortunate to live in a nation that enjoys relative stability. However, we must recognise that peace is not something that comes naturally; it must be built and maintained.
The International Day of Peace is a reminder that even peaceful nations like ours must guard against the forces that can tear societies apart. Ego-driven politics, especially during election seasons, can erode the unity we’ve worked so hard to build.
Our political leaders have a responsibility to prioritise the long-term health of the nation over short-term personal gain. Too often, we’ve seen leaders exploit divisions for their own advantage, using identity politics to stoke resentment and fear.
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This is ego at work, and it threatens the very peace we celebrate on this day. For citizens, too, the responsibility is clear: we must resist the pull of division and work to foster unity in our communities.
Dr Isaac’s work in Ethiopia offers us a valuable lesson. He often turned to respected community elders to mediate between warring factions. These elders, much like the carpenter in the story, understood that true peace doesn’t come from dominance but from dialogue and mutual respect.
Their moral authority, built on fairness and humility, helped mend the rifts between groups that had been at odds for decades.
Building bridges
As we commemorate the International Day of Peace, we must reflect on what peace means to us—not just globally but locally. Are we building bridges, or are we building walls? Are we letting our egos drive us toward conflict, or are we willing to make the compromises necessary to build a lasting peace?
The answer matters, because the cracks that ego creates in our communities today could lead to divisions that tear us apart tomorrow. As Dr Isaac once said, Justice is relative. You think justice is on your side, but there has to be compromise. His words remind us that peace doesn’t come from winning, but from finding a way to live together.
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On this International Day of Peace, let us commit to building bridges—both in our personal lives and in our global politics. Let us recognise that ego, though silent, is a destructive force.
And let us take inspiration from Dr Isaac and the carpenter who built the bridge, remembering that the work of peace is not about separation but connection.
The vision of peace that the International Day of Peace calls us to celebrate is within our reach, but only if we are willing to let go of our pride and embrace the hard work of reconciliation.
For Tanzania, and for the world, the future depends on our ability to overcome ego and build a future based on unity, understanding, and compassion.
Paul Mdumi is the Programme Manager for Dialogue and Peacebuilding at Danmission, Denmark’s oldest and largest missionary organisation. He is available at paul.mdumi@gmail.com or on X as @Rev_MdumiJR. These are the writer’s own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
