Like any
relationship, be it marriage or a business, any form of partnership requires a
level of trust but more important compromise. We can`t always get what we want
else this world would be chaotic, so the way to live in peace is to give some
in order to get some. It`s not what we like to do or hear as human beings are
inherently selfish but it’s a way of
resolving issues and living in harmony.
Take Sudan and South
Sudan for example, they went to war, tried obliterating each other, insulted
each other to get their way but look at the two now! They have agreed on oil
exports from South Sudan, a demilitarized zone and cessation of hostilities .(http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/south-sudan-and-sudan-agree-on-oil-but-not-on-border-or-contested-area-of-abyei/2012/09/27/491c3174-0917-11e2-9eea-333857f6a7bd_story.html)
Both parties finally understood that they can`t go on fighting forever! 21
years of war was a good enough price, and now it’s time to build and not to keep
tearing down. They do have more issues
they need to tackle, specifically the Abyei region, but at least they have
started somewhere and that gives many people hope. Let`s hope implementing the agreement will
not be a hurdle.
That said, I think
it`s time for Israel and Palestine to consider a one state (Secular) solution.
They can share Jerusalem and everything else they deem ok, so that this enmity
can end once and for all. But even as I speak of such, and I ask the two
nations to consider this path, I paused for a minute today morning and wondered
if I were in their shoes, would a one state solution work for me? Would I be ok
sharing my country say for example with (just an example) our Somali neighbors
should they say that the Northern part of my country belongs to them? The fears
are real; if they come in, they might decide at some point that Kenya should
become a Muslim state and we`d all be forced to adhere to their principle or
they might decide that women should only be seen and not heard…..the list is
endless. I wondered though if I experienced
the bloodshed and the chaos, the insecurity and instability that comes with
having two nations fighting, if I’d be ok with a one state solution and the
truth is still NO! No way would I be ok with this.
Thus even as I advocate
for the one state solution, I understand the difficulty that comes with it. The
trust element that would be tested greatly and the fears that are all too real
for any outsider to understand; yet all this should be done in context. I know
even though I would detest the idea, deep down the price of peace would be worth
sharing my country. I know I would constantly be afraid of the eventuality……..
always looking out and not easily trusting the “outsiders” but for the sake of
peace, for the sake of my children to get the opportunities I would not have
gotten, I might just chose to compromise.
Ultimately I believe
it’s for each to look inside themselves and take a chance. The leaders might
not, but the people need to move on with their lives. Enough of politics…..buuuuuuuuuut
with Iran on the other side…hmmm external influences ……tricky….but life is
about taking a chance and we all live once….! So Israel and Palestine take a
chance; compromise if you must!
Bogonko
