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Africa |
PEACE
A call for an African solution to an African problem
At a historic inter-faith peace summit held in South Africa last September, organized by the Geneva-based Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in collaboration with the National Religious Leaders’ Forum of South Africa (NRLFSA), delegates hailed the possibility of Africa using traditional means for resolving conflicts, easing tensions between differing parties, and bringing about harmony and peaceful coexistence. In a nutshell, delegates at the church meeting were on the opinion that «alternative ways of dealing with Africa’s conflicts should be established».
The current method of conflict resolution involves the holding of meetings/conferences and the signing of cease-fire agreements — all of which have frequently been completely ineffective. There are continual delays in reaching agreements, and once agreements are signed, they are frequently not implemented.
Examples of the above include Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi and Congo RDC. In order to achieve a ceasefire in these war zones, any number of meetings/conferences have been held. And even after the signing, the end result has not been much to write home about.
Retired Kenyan Anglican Archbishop David Gitari is one of those proposing an alternative method of dealing with this issue. He advocates the incorporation of African culture into peacemaking and conflict resolution. In his January 2003 lecture on: Towards Conflict Resolution», given during a theological encounter week held in Nairobi, under the general theme: «Translating Theological Researches Into Lived Realities: The Case of Africa», the Archbishop called on people currently involved in peacemaking and conflict resolution in Africa, to incorporate African culture and tradition in bringing about peace. The Archbishop was saddened to note that until now, this has been completely ignored. Too much emphasis has been placed on conventional methods of dealing with the issue. «Some of us have opted for being peace lovers rather than being peace makers. Peace lovers are not necessary peacemakers».
Professor Catherine Odora Hopper is from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Making her presentation at the inter-faith church meeting in South Africa last September, she pointed out that «conflicts rack the African continent as well as a great part of the world, and it is clear that our understanding of rebuilding a better world should extend to the rediscovery of traditional or indigenous resources in building for peace».
She explained that African philosophies emphasise a way of life that acknowledges obligations, and seeks harmony, balance and equilibrium. But, «while tremendous progress has been made in the field of conflict management, very little had been done in the area of peace building».
Addressing the same gathering, Bethuel Kiplagat, a senior consultant on peace and conflict in Africa, recalled that most of Africa’s conflicts occur within individual countries and take the form of rebellion against the State. And he stressed that since 1960, thirty-five of the African Union’s member-states, have suffered from conflicts.
In his book: «Peace and Reconciliation as a Paradigm: A philosophy of Peace and its Implications on Conflict, Governance, and Economic Growth in Africa», the author, Professor Hizkias Assefa observes that: «As wars, conflicts and violence rage within many African countries and among communities and ethnic groups, there is no doubt that peace is the most urgent concern and priority on the continent».
There’s a challenge to our leaders.
- Francis Njuguna, Kenya, January 2003 — © Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment