Igad partners with religious leaders in quest for peace in the Horn of Africa
Igad Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu addresses delegates at the Sarova Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa on November 29, 2023.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) and the African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP), a religious lobby, have urged countries and communities within the Horn of Africa to prioritise dialogue and foster peace across the region.
The call follows a dialogue between the two organisations led by Igad Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu and the leadership of ACRL at the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi on Monday.
The partnership between Igad and ACRL-RfP aims to promote peace by creating spaces for community dialogue to help the region recover from a long history of conflict.
Civil, military and political strife continue to plague the Horn of Africa, with active conflicts in Sudan, Somalia and parts of South Sudan.
In a joint statement, the two organisations expressed their commitment to joint peace-building efforts with a focus on reconciliation and healing within affected communities.
“Igad and ACRL-RfP are committed to enhancing cooperation in peace processes and supporting conflict-affected communities to break cycles of violence and focus on reconciliation and compassion,” the statement said.
Recognising the unique influence of religious leaders, Igad announced plans to include religious networks in its Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) to strengthen conflict prevention and promote timely interventions.
“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.
The two organisations said that they would also commit to establishing a formal partnership via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that clearly identifies areas of collaboration and strategic cooperation to bilaterally promote peace and development in the region.
“Both parties recognise the importance of having regular dialogues, joint capacity-building programmes, and advocacy initiatives. These efforts will enhance the role of religious leaders in shaping inclusive, people-centred policies that support sustainable development,” it added.
The partnership also emphasises a shared dedication to tackling urgent regional crises, particularly the ongoing war in Sudan.
Igad and ACRL-RfP have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and urged inclusive peace talks that engage all stakeholders.
Leaders highlighted the potential role of religious figures in mediating conflicts and supporting community healing.
“The ongoing war in Sudan has spurred the world’s fastest-growing humanitarian crisis, with Sudanese refugees making up one in eight worldwide, and over 12 million people displaced. Nearly five million people face severe hunger due to food shortages and the destruction of critical infrastructure, including health services,” they added.
In addition to peace initiatives, Igad and ACRL-RfP committed to addressing other critical challenges, including climate change, desertification, and underdevelopment in arid and semi-arid lands.
Both organisations view this cooperation as vital to fostering a resilient, peaceful, and prosperous Horn of Africa.
