PEACE: THE PATH WE CHOOSE TOGETHER
What Is Peace?
Dictionary definition: “A state of tranquility, harmony, and freedom from conflict or disturbance.”
“Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of understanding.”
Peace sounds simple, but for Eritreans it carries a deeper meaning shaped by history, sacrifice, and struggle. At Zara Selam Media, peace is both a state of calm and a pathway toward national healing.
Peace is not a slogan, not a fantasy, and not a political trick. It is a difficult road, a long road, and yet the only road that can lead Eritreans toward healing, dignity, and a shared future.
We fully understand the reality: Eritreans today are deeply divided — between government supporters and opposition groups, and even among the opposition themselves. Suspicion is high. Trust is low. People are tired, wounded, and skeptical.
But we must start somewhere.
ZARA SELAM MEDIA’S PERSPECTIVE ON PEACE
Peace is not a slogan. Peace is not a political trick. Peace is not a denial of our differences.
Peace is a long, difficult, and necessary journey.
We acknowledge the reality:
- Eritreans are divided
- Government supporters and opposition groups mistrust one another
- Opposition organizations disagree among themselves and splinter repeatedly
- Many people are skeptical of any call for unity
We do not hide from these truths. We face them — because peace begins with honesty.
LISTENING BEFORE JUDGING
Peace begins with something simple but powerful: listening to one another without dismissing one another.
Not agreeing on everything. Not pretending differences do not exist. Not forcing unity.
Just listening — honestly, respectfully, patiently.
When we listen, we discover that even people who disagree fiercely still share some unshakable truths.
LISTENING: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD PEACE
“We listen not to agree, but to understand.”
Peace does not begin with agreement. Peace begins with listening — truly listening.
Listening without dismissing Listening without labeling Listening without assuming the worst Listening even when it is uncomfortable
When we listen, we discover that beneath our political differences lies a shared identity and a shared pain.
THE FEW THINGS WE ALL AGREE ON
No matter our political views, almost all Eritreans share certain foundations:
- Eritrean independence is sacred
- Our fallen heroes deserve honor, remembrance, and respect
- We are one people — inside Eritrea and across the diaspora
- Our youth leaving the country in large numbers is a national wound
- The suffering of Eritrean refugees around the world is a shared responsibility
These are not political positions. These are human truths that should bind us together.
If we can agree on even these few points, then we have a place to begin.
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR PAIN, STEP BY STEP
Peace does not mean ignoring the problems. It means acknowledging them together, step by step:
- The divisions among Eritreans
- The fear and mistrust
- The exodus of our youth
- The struggles of refugees
- The pain of families separated
- The silence that has replaced dialogue
Acknowledgment is not blame. Acknowledgment is the first step toward healing.
PEACE AS THE HIGHWAY FORWARD
Peace is not the end of the journey — it is the highway that allows us to address the issues we all recognize:
- How do we protect our youth?
- How do we rebuild trust?
- How do we honor our martyrs in a way that unites, not divides?
- How do we create a future where Eritreans can disagree without becoming enemies?
Without peace, none of these questions can be answered. With peace, every one of them becomes possible.
ZARA SELAM MEDIA’S COMMITMENT
Zara Selam Media chooses the path of peace — not because it is easy, but because it is necessary.
We commit to:
We know the road is long. We know skepticism is real. But we also know this:
- Encouraging respectful dialogue
- Creating space for all voices
- Rejecting insults, dismissiveness, and dehumanization
- Highlighting shared values
- Promoting truth, humility, and cultural wisdom
- Building bridges across political divides
Eritrea deserves a future where its children speak to one another again. Peace is how we begin.