Inter-faith Peace Summit Gathers Africa Religious Leaders

An African Inter-faith peace summit is in session in Johannesburg until 25 April where over 200 representatives of various religions are gathered to discuss and propose solutions for problems the continent is facing.

The delegates from more than 30 countries are gathering in South Africa for the Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa Summit. The attendants represent African Traditional Religion, the Baha’I faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.

The Lutheran World Federation is organising the event, and the National Religious Leaders Forum in South Africa is hosting it.

The men and women gathered at the peace summit, which began on 18 April, have numerous concerns, including war violence that has killed and emotionally scarred many women and children, according to SABC News.

"We want to begin a campaign across Africa to ensure that children and women are protected in situations of conflict," said Dr. Olara Otunnu, UN Secretary General Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict.

One grave example of the turmoil Africa has recently experienced is taking place in Sudan, where the warring parties recently signed a peace deal to end a 21-year-old civil war. Although the violence has ended, the problems of hunger, lack of education, housing and health are still to be resolved.

However the world is showing signs that it is starting to pay attention. This month, international donors representing various nations gathered in Oslo, Norway to pledge US$4.5 billion (£2.35 billion) to help rebuild Sudan. Despite this good news, a war in the western part of Sudan in the Darfur region continues, as do various other deadly conflicts throughout the continent.

The theme of the summit is "Working Together for Peace in Africa." Some of the other issues being discussed include women’s roles in peace making; the potential for war and conflict in Africa; the abuse of Holy Scriptures with respect to conflict; the impact of conflict on children; and the threats of international terrorism and their root causes, according to the Arusha Times.

Secretary General of the LWF, the Rev. Dr. Ishamel Noko stated that he would like the IFAPA to be "a contribution to the African renaissance that we all hope and pray for."




Francis Helguero
Christian Today Correspondent