Legislators from Kenya, Djibouti, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia have called for collaboration between politicians and journalists to foster peace in the Horn of Africa.
Kenya’s National Assembly Deputy Minority Whip Mark Mwenje set the tone for the discussions by emphasizing the significance of media freedom in peace building.
“A free press is essential for a healthy democracy and stability,” Mwenje declared. “Journalists play a vital role in holding politicians accountable and informing the public.” He challenged the region to create a conducive environment where journalists can operate without fear or intimidation.
The four-day event hosted by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) aimed at strengthening the partnership between media and political parties. The roundtable was hosted by IGAD’s Director of Peace and Security Division Siraj Fegessa.
Fegessa acknowledged the complexities of the media-politics relationship in the region. He cited misinformation, fake news, and hate speech as emerging issues that complicate peace building.
The discussions also underscored the evolving media landscape, particularly the rise of social media and its impact on traditional outlets.
South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s Majority Chief Whip James Kueth Pabek recognized the growing need for media literacy among the political class and called for sensitisation of the general public on the proper use of the social media.
Similarly, the Opposition Chief Whip Farouk Gathouk Kam called for consistent engagement between the political divide and media in order to reduce biases in the IGAD member states.
The roundtable concluded with a series of recommendations such as promotion of responsible journalism and IGAD led collaboration between media houses, civil society and the politicians in the region.
Other legislatures in attendance were Fatuma Mohamed and Abdifatah Abdillahi from Djibouti, Miherefu Shanko and Abeba Deadew from Ethiopia, and Abass Ali and Sayid Ali from Somalia.
