Renowned international peace crusader and Cameroonian veteran lawyer Sir Dr. Barr. Nico Halle has called for a renewed global commitment to peace, warning that the fragile nature of peace in many parts of the world makes this year’s International Day of Peace more a moment for reflection than celebration.
Speaking to Laarry Times in Douala, Littoral Region, on Sunday, September 13, 2026, the peace advocate with more than 30 years and counting reflected on the United Nations theme for this year’s observance: “Invest in Peace—For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
According to the former president of the Cameroon Bar Council, the theme carries a simple but urgent message that states that peace must be treated as humanity’s greatest investment.
“Peace is the greatest asset in the whole world,” he said, stressing that genuine peace goes beyond the absence of war. It requires justice, love, equity, transparency, accountability, integrity, dignity, and respect for human life.
He cited the Bible’s teaching in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” while recalling Christ’s message to his disciples: “My peace I leave with you, the peace I give to you.”
Sir Dr. Barr. Nico Halle says the peace that humanity needs cannot be measured in material possessions, political power, wealth, appointments, or authority. Rather, it is a deeper peace founded on moral values and a commitment to peaceful coexistence.
He also pointed to the importance of peace in creating stability, security, social harmony, economic development, protection of human rights, and community stability.
“Peace stops violence,” Barrister Nico Halle said, arguing that sustainable peace can only take root where justice and respect for the rule of law prevail.
He welcomed the peace message issued by the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon Moderator Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia to Presbyterian congregations on the occasion of the International Day of Peace.
He described the Moderator as a peace-loving and non-violent church leader and praised the content of his message. At PC Bonaberi in Douala, the message was read during Sunday worship on September 13 by Presbyterial Secretary Rev. Mary Wose Nduma.
“Peace is the weapon of the strong."
Drawing from more than three decades of peace advocacy, Sir. Dr. Barr. Nico Halle reiterated one of his longstanding convictions, which indicates that peace is the weapon of the strong, while violence is the weapon of the weak.
He said people who are wise, intelligent, and genuinely committed to their nations should choose dialogue and peaceful solutions rather than violence.
“I have been crusading for peace, and I pray that the Lord should continue to lead, direct, guide, bless me, protect me, and accompany me as I continue in this mission,” he said.
But despite his lifelong commitment to peace, the veteran lawyer, soft-spoken and outspoken advocate for justice and equality, said he would not personally celebrate this year’s International Day of Peace because, in his assessment, peace remains too fragile in many parts of the world.
Flawed elections and weak institutions
One of Nico Halle’s strongest criticisms was directed at institutions created to prevent conflicts and maintain international peace. He expressed disappointment with what he described as the failure of international and regional bodies to intervene decisively in conflicts before they escalate.
Africa, he argued, continues to experience violence partly because of poorly managed elections, allegations of electoral manipulation, ballot stuffing, and the alteration of results.
According to him, disputed elections can trigger uprisings and instability, making it essential for the African Union and its relevant security mechanisms to monitor electoral processes and intervene before disputes develop into wider conflicts.
He also questioned the effectiveness of international institutions responsible for maintaining global peace, citing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and parts of Africa as evidence of the need for stronger and more effective intervention.
For Sir. Dr. Barr. Nico Halle, the crisis extends beyond elections. He linked instability to the weakening of the rule of law, constitutional manipulation, corruption, embezzlement, discrimination, tribalism, exploitation, poverty, and unemployment.
These conditions, he argued, create misery, frustration, bitterness, and hopelessness, factors that can ultimately fuel hate speech, xenophobia, and violence.
A call to reject “blood money”
He also condemned those who profit from conflict and war, arguing that some individuals and interests exploit instability for financial gain. He described profits made from war as “blood money” and called on the international community to reject any system that benefits from human suffering.
He further criticized the contradiction of people who publicly preach peace while engaging in corruption, electoral malpractice, embezzlement, and other practices that undermine society.
“Unfortunately, people are stealing and talking peace,” he said, arguing that actions that deprive people of justice and opportunity can themselves become triggers for violence.
“Change the narrative."
Although he said he would not celebrate the International Day of Peace in the conventional sense, the global peace crusader pledged to intensify his peace advocacy.
He called on Cameroonians, Africans and people across the world to change the narrative by embracing love, justice, patriotism and peaceful coexistence. “Nobody benefits from violence, and everybody benefits from peace,” he said.
For Nico Halle, observing the International Day of Peace should therefore not be limited to ceremonies and speeches. It should be an opportunity for individuals, governments, religious institutions and international organizations to examine their actions and recommit themselves to the principles that make lasting peace possible.
He urged people to replace hatred, corruption, injustice and violence with love and responsible citizenship. “Let us celebrate this day with a new engagement, a new paradigm and a new narrative to preach peace by showing love and avoiding all the crimes that I have mentioned here,” Halle said.
His message was clear that peace cannot be achieved by words alone. According to him, it must be built through justice, integrity, accountability, love and a genuine respect for human dignity.
@Laarry Times
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