Why We Need Peace: Reflections From A Rwandan Peacebuilder

Introduction: building peace in post-genocide Rwanda

What is peace? Why do we need it? Pastor Dr. Emmanuel Rubagumya, who has spent over a decade working with his community in Rwanda to heal from the wounds and legacy of the 1994 genocide, has much to say about it. Pastor Rubagumya serves an organization called the “Pilgrim Center for Healing and Reconciliation,” where he runs projects such as healing retreats for different groups in the community who have been affected by the genocide against the Tutsi in different ways, whether as victims, perpetrators, or their children and families.

Drawing from his experiences as a grassroots Rwandan peacebuilder, Pastor Dr. Emmanuel Rubagumya reflects on why we need peace in our personal and global spaces. This may seem like an obvious question, yet, as he points out, we often dismiss its importance. Here are his inspirational thoughts.

Peace: a vital human need

Peace, or Shalom, is one of the most essential needs of humanity, yet it is often overlooked. Just as we cannot live without air, food, water, or shelter, we cannot thrive without peace. However, true peace is elusive until each individual grasps its importance in their own life. While peace is not solely a personal matter, it begins within us. Like yeast that causes dough to rise, peace starts small and grows, expanding outward to touch families, communities, and nations. Peace should be categorized as a basic need—something fundamental to our daily existence. It’s not a luxury, but a necessity. From individuals to entire continents, people everywhere are searching for peace. Yet, despite this universal longing, violence and conflict persist, suppressing peace at every turn. Ironically, no organization, legal or otherwise, claims to create violence and conflict—not even groups that engage in terrorism. They all argue that they are fighting for peace.

The irony of ‘peace’ as an excuse for war

I once listened to a talk on television during a 2023 meeting of African military chiefs in Kigali. One of the speakers mentioned how their armies were sent to “keep peace” in the Central African Republic. That statement made me pause. Peace, I thought, is something we create, not something we merely preserve. How can you keep what isn’t fully there? What they were doing, in essence, was maintaining the status quo—standing between government forces and rebel groups to prevent further violence. But were they truly bringing peace to the people?

Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” This profound truth reminds us that peace is made, just as conflict is created. The world is well-versed in creating conflict, but we have lost sight of how to create peace. This is the gap we must urgently fill.

Consider how heads of state often rely on their security advisors to inform their next move, especially regarding matters of war and defense. Often, their advice revolves around building arms and preparing for battle. If one nation buys a weapon, its neighbor feels compelled to buy something even more destructive. It’s as if they are saying, “We are ready to fight.” Why are nations so quick to invest in conflict and so hesitant to invest in peace?

Weighing the costs of war vs the costs of peace

War brings nothing but destruction and pain. It drains resources, devastates communities, and, most tragically, claims countless lives. Why don’t nations prioritize peaceful solutions? Why can’t they sit at the table to resolve their differences rather than plan for war?

I believe peace would cost less than war and conflicts, peaceful communities will enjoy the fruits, but conflicted communities will endure the fruits. Life is full of choices; it’s up to us to know which choice to make, war or peace. I believe, that before the countries attack another country, what if, they could give chance to their citizens to go for a referendum between war and peace? 90% of the total population in a certain country may vote for peace, but few people representing the nation decide to go for the war, based on their interest, regardless of the consequences.

Imagine if we weighed war and peace on a scale. Which would be heavier? Which would bring lasting value? The choice seems obvious, yet the world continues to lean toward violence. It’s time for a shift in thinking. We must not only seek peace but be intentional in making it.

Pastor Dr. Emmanuel Rubagumya

Pilgrim Center for healing and reconciliation Rwanda. Email: remmy4800@gmail.com

Phone: (+250)788520342