Interfaith Leaders End Peace Summit in Africa

Leaders from Africa’s largest religions said they will continue to work together to resolve the continent’s problems, at the conclusion of an inter-faith peace summit near Johannesburg.

At the second Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) Summit, which took place from April 21-25, the representatives agreed upon the "Kopanong Manifesto" which recommended "a truly spiritual approach" to various challenges, including, ongoing violent conflicts.

A pre-summit gathering called "Mothers and Daughters" which took place from April 18-20, took a closer look at conflicts and peace building opportunities in Sudan and the Democratic Repubic of Congo (DRC).

The guiding principles of the IFAPA include political independence, transparency, and neutrality toward religious dogmas and systems.

The faiths represented at the summit were African Tratidional Religion, the Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Rastafarianism.

"We know each other very well now," said Lutheran World Federation General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Ishamael Noko. He felt the gathering was a great success since confidence and trust had emerged among the various groups at the summit.

The shared work done by the IFAPA since it’s first gathering in October 2002 has "given us a framework for mutual encounter and cooperation... across national as well as religious boundaries," over 240 delegates from over 30 countries who attended this year’s event said in the Kopanong Manifesto.

The statement, which draws its name from the Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre where they met, also stated the delegates’ commitment to continue inter-faith visits to regions of conflict, post-conflict, and potential conflict.

They will engage in grassroots efforts to establish peace in places like Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania and Southern Sudan as well as exchange visits between land mine survivors from Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

The IFAPA was also invited to connect with the University of South Africa in order to conduct research and analysis about conflict resolution and peace building.

Future plans include the development of new international and regional ties with other inter-faith initiatives as well as collaboration with governmental and inter-governmental agencies promoting peace.

General Secretary Noko of LWF, which organised the event, called on Africa’s political leaders to take note of religious leaders who are ready to complement government efforts to reduce violence.





Francis Helguero
Christian Today Correspondent