It’s hard not to feel a heightened sense of tension in the world today—an undercurrent of uncertainty that seems to permeate our daily lives. If you’ve observed this sensation, you’re not alone. The latest findings from the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI) corroborate these feelings, revealing a sobering truth: global peacefulness has declined for the sixth consecutive year. Alarmingly, this marks the 13th time in 17 years that we have witnessed such a backtrack.
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Yet, amidst this general decline, a curious silver lining appears. The Safety and Security domain, one of GPI’s three core indicators, reports an upswing. A total of 95 nations improved their scores in this sector, contrasting sharply with 67 nations that reported declines. This raises an intriguing question: Can we find places of relative stability even in a world increasingly marred by conflict?
What drives this improvement in safety? The answer seems rooted in a broader societal perception. Many citizens reported feeling less threatened by crime, while a reduction in political terror and a decline in violent demonstrations contributed to this positive shift. A notable statistic emerges from the data: the global homicide rate has reached its lowest point since the inception of this index. Isn’t it fascinating how a single trend can reflect layers of societal change?
Yet, beneath this surface improvement lies a much darker reality. The most alarming erosion was recorded in the metric of External Conflicts Fought—an area plagued by escalating involvement from foreign powers in domestic disputes worldwide. Major players, including the United States, Russia, Iran, and France, received some of the highest scores, signaling deepening complexities in the global landscape. Witnessing nations entrenched in conflict feels like being a bystander to a dramatic play—one fraught with anticipation, yet riddled with uncertainty.
Disturbingly, 44 countries experienced worsening scores in this domain, with four of the top ten most dramatic declines occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. To put this into perspective, as of 2025, 98 nations have been involved in external conflicts over the past five years, a sharp contrast to just 59 in 2008. The implications are vast and weigh heavily upon us. How do we reconcile the progress in safety on one hand with the escalating conflicts on the other?
Often, these international involvements manifest as support for incumbent regimes battling rebellion or terrorism. It raises an uncomfortable discussion on the ethics of intervention. Are foreign actors truly acting as protectors, or do they exacerbate the very conflicts they aim to resolve? Consider this: is it even possible to determine a universal ‘right’ when it comes to such complex geopolitical dynamics?
These findings beg us to heed a glaring warning. While there are signs of improvement in some aspects of domestic safety, the prevalent trend of international conflict and foreign intervention continues to undermine global peace. It’s akin to the tension that builds before a storm; you feel it in the air, yet hope for the clouds to part. How can we bridge the gap between local stability and global unrest?
Below are the African countries involved in five or more external conflicts:
| Rank | Country | UN Involvement | African Union Involvement | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameroon | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2 | Burundi | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| 3 | Burkina Faso | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
| 4 | Nigeria | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| 5 | Tanzania | 4 | 1 | 5 | |
| 6 | Rwanda | 4 | 1 | 5 | |
| 7 | Ghana | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| 8 | Niger | 3 | 2 | 5 |
As we consider these statistics, it’s important to reflect not just on numbers, but on the human experiences behind them—the families torn apart, the communities disrupted, and the uncertain futures that lie ahead. As we navigate this complex landscape, how can each of us contribute to a future where peace is not just an ideal but a reality?
Ultimately, navigating these complexities requires both awareness and action. We must engage in conversations that challenge our perspectives, consider the stories behind every conflict, and strive for solutions that prioritize humanity above politics.
In a world where uncertainties abound, let us remain committed to fostering the embers of peace amidst the storms of conflict—for that is where hope resides.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
