The late, legendary musician Bob Marley, along with the Wailers, released their hauntingly powerful song War in 1976, encapsulating the unwavering struggle against violence and injustice that echoes through time.

Today, some countries remain a battleground, burdened by devastating conflicts that thrust countless lives into turmoil, such as the enduring hostilities between Israel and Palestine and the harrowing carnage in Ukraine. In Ukraine, Russian forces fight fiercely for territorial control, resulting in a heartbreaking toll of loss and devastation, with landscapes once vibrant now marred by chaos. Meanwhile, on the Gaza Strip, Israel and Hamas are ensnared in a bitter struggle for power, inflicting untold suffering on innocent civilians. Additionally, Sudan swirls in a maelstrom of internal conflict, its people locked in violent clashes that reflect a nation unravelling.

The grim reality for those ensnared in these wars is the tragic and senseless loss of innocent lives — lives that encompass not only the elderly and middle-aged but also the most defenceless members of society: babies and children. Families are ripped apart as homes are reduced to smouldering ruins, their memories scattered, lives uprooted, and many face the stark and heart-rending spectre of starvation and homelessness. Vulnerable to the harshest horrors, including sexual violence, disease, and abject poverty, the collateral damage of these conflicts is a staggering and sorrowful site to watch, and accept.

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip fills me with a deep sadness and profound concern. Neighbourhoods that once thrummed with life and laughter have been transformed into desolate ruins, echoing the displacement and despair of those whose homes have been obliterated. Compassion feels like a scarce commodity, leaving many grappling for basic necessities — food, water, and medical care. Humanitarian efforts to deliver crucial supplies are routinely impeded by opposing forces, compounding the suffering of desperate families. Picture children, their faces stark and worn with hunger, lining up beside adults who frantically scramble and fight for every morsel of food — a heartbreaking scene that sparks both outrage and disbelief. Is this not a form of cruelty that cries out for our condemnation?

In a similar vein, the devastation wrought by the Russia-Ukraine conflict paints a chilling picture of despair and destruction. Buildings that once stood sturdy as homes or businesses now lie shattered and reduced to heaps of rubble, while the spectre of artillery fire and air strikes looms ominously over the landscape. How do the people residing in these war-torn areas find a semblance of normality or safeguard their mental well-being amid such relentless chaos? Each day they awaken engulfed in uncertainty: Will they survive another day of conflict? Where will they seek shelter as their homes disintegrate around them? How will they procure food and medical aid in a terrain ravaged by violence? The weight of these haunting questions must press heavy on their minds.

My thoughts also wander to the ongoing violence in Sudan, where civilians are locked in brutal confrontations. This internal conflict, unlike an external invasion, is driven by deep-seated grievances and an unmistakable failure of governance. The chaos echoes the upheaval in Haiti, where conflict remains tangled and obscure, leaving the Government powerless to provide security or basic services. Both nations grapple with profound democratic deficits — existential struggles that label them as failing or failed states.

Wars stem from a complex intersection of social conflicts and ideological divides, often exacerbated by propaganda and misinformation designed to galvanise support for one faction or another. Geopolitical challenges, as evidenced in the crises unfolding in Ukraine and Gaza, complicate matters further, ensnaring entire populations in a whirlpool of violence.

Ironically, the very weapons used in these wars — artillery, bombs, and other deadly armaments engineered for destruction — also represent significant economic interests for the countries that manufacture them, giving rise to a troubling conflict of interest. We are rightfully outraged by the tragic loss of life that results from these arms, even as we acknowledge that their production fuels entire economies. How can we reconcile this disturbing contradiction, where profit and annihilation stand side by side?

In light of these circumstances, I question the efficacy of the United Nations, whose mission includes the pursuit of sustainable development while confronting challenging issues such as poverty, peace, justice, human dignity, and inequality. How is it intervening to combat these injustices against humanity? The organisation is not vocal enough and is failing to robustly address the five Ps it advocates: people, planet, peace, prosperity, and partnerships.

Then there is the United Nations Security Council, an entity tasked with the critical role of maintaining international peace and security. It is expected to identify acts of aggression and promote peaceful resolutions. However, I find myself wondering to what extent it has actively intervened in the conflicts engulfing these nations, and how effective are the resolutions it has passed in settling these unwanted aggressions.

And where does the International Criminal Court stand on these issues? Its role, amongst other things, is to investigate and prosecute war crimes, crimes of aggression, and crimes against humanity. Ironically, it can step in when national authorities are unwilling or unable to prosecute these crimes.

Finally, I am left pondering the extensive destruction unleashed by these wars and grappling with the question of who will shoulder the immense responsibility of rebuilding shattered communities. As homes and businesses lie in ruins, who will rise to help reconstruct the lives, dreams, and properties of those left behind?

christopher.bryan1000@gmail.com