IGAD, African Council of Religious Leaders push for peace in the Horn of Africa
By Amina Wako |
In a joint statement, the two organisations expressed their commitment to collaborative peacebuilding efforts with a focus on reconciliation and healing within affected communities.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Council of Religious Leaders—Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP) have called on nations and communities in the Horn of Africa to prioritise dialogue and promote peace in the region.
This initiative follows a high-level meeting at the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi on Monday, led by IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu and senior leaders of ACRL.
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The partnership between IGAD and ACRL-RfP aims to foster peace by creating spaces for community dialogue, intended to help the region recover from a long history of conflicts.
In a joint statement, the two organisations expressed their commitment to collaborative peacebuilding efforts with a focus on reconciliation and healing within affected communities.
“IGAD and ACRL-RfP are committed to enhancing collaboration in peace processes and supporting conflict-affected communities, with the aim to break cycles of violence and focus on reconciliation and compassion,” the statement read.
Recognising the unique influence of religious leaders, IGAD announced plans to incorporate religious networks into its Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) to strengthen conflict prevention and promote timely interventions.
Intergovernmental Authority on Development at a meeting at Windsor Hotel in Nairobi on October 28, 2024. (Photo: IGAD)
“IGAD welcomes the opportunity to integrate religious leaders more formally into regional mechanisms like our Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN), where you can contribute timely insights that help prevent potential conflicts,” Dr. Gebeyehu said.
He emphasised that the contributions of religious leaders are invaluable for detecting tensions and enabling swift, proactive responses.
The partnership also highlights a shared commitment to addressing urgent regional crises, notably the ongoing conflict in Sudan. IGAD and ACRL-RfP have called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and urged inclusive peace talks involving all stakeholders. The leaders noted that religious figures could play a vital role in mediating conflicts and aiding community healing efforts.
“The ongoing war in Sudan has led to the fastest-growing humanitarian crisis in the world, with 1 in 8 refugees worldwide being Sudanese and over 12 million displaced. Nearly 5 million face starvation due to food shortages and the destruction of essential infrastructure, including healthcare,” the leaders noted.
In addition to peace efforts, IGAD and ACRL-RfP pledged to work together to address other pressing issues, such as climate change, desertification, and underdevelopment in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL). The organisations see these collaborations as essential steps towards building a resilient, peaceful, and prosperous Horn of Africa.
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