Challenges in Somalia and South Asia prompt fresh call for action and prayer

The famine in Somalia and inter-religious relations in South Asia were top of the agenda at the latest meeting of the World Council of Churches' Executive Committee.

Concerns over peace and human security dominated discussions as the committee convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last Friday, to set the WCC's policy for the next six months.

In a statement, the committee noted that drought, famine and armed conflict had triggered a "serious humanitarian crisis" in Somalia over the last few years.

The country's Transitional Federal Government (TFG), established in 2009, came in for particularly harsh criticism as "ineffective" and unable to control Al-Shabaab, the Islamist militant group that has prevented aid from entering Somalia.

"The TFG is in no position to deal with a humanitarian catastrophe or to protect its citizens as Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups operating in many parts of the country are virtually controlling these areas," the committee said.

"At the same time, Al-Shabaab refuses to come to the negotiating table."

The conflict has only compounded the difficulties confronting the country as it experiences its worst drought in six decades.

The UN has warned that as many as 750,000 people could die of starvation in the next four months.

In light of the pressing needs, the WCC's Executive Committee appealed to the international community and even more churches to provide care for the suffering and cooperate in strategies to establish peace in the region.

"While the drought situation in the country may be regarded as a short-term phenomenon, the rebuilding of Somalia needs long-term commitment from all parties concerned," it said.

"It is high time that all governments and organisations which have been supplying various of the country’s factions with armaments and financial support to rethink their strategies that abet violence in Somalia, and instead evolve a strategy to find more meaningful ways to ensure peace and human security in Somalia.

"The international community should take initiatives to give opportunities for Somalis to live in peace with justice, security, freedom from fear and hunger, and to have adequate means to live with dignity, develop and determine their own future."

In a separate statement on peace and security in South Asia, the committee described the subcontinent as “one of the most volatile regions of the world”.

It said the negative effects of ethnic conflict, civil war, persecution against religious minorities, "systematic" human rights violations and other challenges were "visible today more than ever before in the South Asia region".

The effect of the war on terrorism and strategic interests of major power blocs in the region were, the committee said, contributing to growing resentment against foreign forces in the region, particularly in Pakistan.

"There is a feeling among the general public that peace and security in South Asia are defined today in terms of the strategic interests and objectives of countries outside South Asia," the statement read.

In Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, the committee said the increasing trend of religious tolerance and politicisation of religion was creating "havoc".

The committee concluded by appealing for prayer for the region and reiterating its support for local churches "as they work for peace, security, reconciliation, religious tolerance and justice for all".