Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

This paper argues that the prevailing conception of peace as merely the absence of war is philosophically inadequate for addressing the complex realities of contemporary global insecurity. Despite advances in science, technology, and governance, societies continue to experience violent conflicts, structural injustice, psychological trauma, and ecological degradation, demonstrating that the cessation of armed conflict alone cannot guarantee genuine peaceful coexistence. Employing the analytic and dialectical philosophical methods, the paper critically examines dominant peace paradigms, develops a wholistic conception of peace, and proposes the Integrative Planetary Peace Theory (IPPT) as a comprehensive philosophical framework. It further draws on the Principle of Ejikemeuwa (nonviolence) as the ethical and methodological foundation for sustainable peace. The study finds that authentic peace is multidimensional, consisting of harmony with oneself, harmony with one's neighbours, and harmony with the environment. It contends that lasting peaceful coexistence can only be achieved through the integration of inner moral harmony, social justice, ecological balance, and principled nonviolence. Consequently, the paper concludes that peacebuilding should move beyond militarized and state-centric approaches to embrace moral education, inclusive governance, restorative justice, environmental stewardship, and a planetary ethic of interdependence. It recommends the adoption of the Integrative Planetary Peace Theory by policymakers, educators, peace practitioners, and global institutions as a viable philosophical framework for cultivating enduring peace and meaningful peaceful coexistence in an interconnected world.

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