Statement by Christian-Muslim Religious leaders on Peace Building

In The Horn of Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopian

30th-31st July 2009

We, the religious leaders representing the Christian and Muslim faiths from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development( IGAD) countries meeting in Addis Ababa on 30th-31 July 2009, to deliberate on Peace Building, Healing and reconciliation in the Horn of Africa,

Acknowledging the mercies of the almighty God on us as we spent time together, sharing our thoughts with each other and developing bound amongst us;

Expressing heartfelt thanks to the Ethiopian Government and the African union (AU) and appreciation to the Ethiopian interfaith platform and His Holiness the patriarch Ab una Paulo’s for hosting us; the African council of religious Leaders (ACRL), and the all African Conference of Churches (AACC) for convening the meeting;

Having reflected on a wide range of issues relating to the peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa within the context of inter-faith relations in the region for the past two days;

Celebrating our African identity, unity in diversity and our journey in the African history of liberation, restoration of justice and human dignity;

Deeply concerned about the endemic conflicts and persistent  insecurity in the  region, especially in Somalia, Sudan and Northern Uganda, caused or aggravated by, economic stagnation and poverty, mistrust and suspicion, massive violation of human rights and other policies of exclusion and marginalization;

Gravely trebled about the humanitarian and social consequences of the crises;

Bearing in mind the sub-human and abhorring conditions under which many of our people in the Horn of  

Africa lives, either in the internally displaced persons camps or refugee camps;

Recognizing that the internal conflicts have a regional impact that could adversely affect the peace and security in the whole region and beyond;

Seeking to deepen our understanding and analysis of the root causes and agents of conflicts in the region;

Convinced of the fact that religious leaders have a role and mandate in contributing towards peace and reconciliation process in the region;

We, the Christian and Muslim leaders together with the institutions we represent do herby commit ourselves to undertake, a series of actions to bring fruition to the work that we have done in the last two days. In this regard, we have collectively resolved to:-

  1. Sustain and intensify our prayers for peace in the Horn of Africa;
  2. Actively continue engaging in sincere interfaith-dialogue, trust building and collaboration for peace in each of our countries and in the region;
  3. Remain committed to the cause of peace, Justice, healing, and reconciliation in the Horn of Africa and seek to do everything within our capacity to reduce further escalation of violent conflict in the region;
  4. facilitate spiritual renewal by instilling and imparting positive values, within our families, mosques, churches, schools and Communities;
  5. Build stronger networks between the religious leaders in the Horn of Africa to enhance peace and security in the region;
  6. Establish linkages with Africa union (AU) and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD):
  7. Engage in value bases holistic civic education
  8. Initiate coordinated advocacy and lobby strategies fro peace in the region;
  9. Engage in humanitarian assistance to the affected population in the region;
  10. Convene a wider regional peace conference for religious leaders from the Horn of Africa by December 2009.

Finally, with the help of the almighty God and inspiration from our people, we make joint and firm commitment towards the journey of building peace in the Horn of Africa and invite all the people of good will, the Governments of the region and other stakeholders to join us.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

July 31st,2009