AFRICAN COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS
STATEMENT ON KENYA
“GIVE PEACE AND DIALOGUE A CHANCE”
NAIROBI, KENYA | 2 JANUARY 2008
The leadership of the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) is profoundly saddened with the post-election violence that has gripped Kenya. The Council is distressed and deeply disturbed that the violence is intensifying, with more loss of lives reported by the hour. The tragic case of people burnt alive in a church is a matter of grave concern.
Having keenly followed the pre-election process and the period afterward, and recognizing that whereas there may have been issues of concern with regard to the credibility of the election results and tallying, the Religions for Peace ACRL strongly believes that peace and stability in Kenya is of paramount importance. The Council therefore urges all Kenyans to give peace and dialogue a chance and end the violence.
The Religions for Peace ACRL notes that the violent situation—which includes loss of lives, destruction of property, despair, and displacement of people—is fast disintegrating into one of the biggest humanitarian crisis in the history of Kenya. The Council appeals for humanitarian assistance to those areas and persons who have been affected.
The Religions for Peace ACRL calls for ALL religious traditions, members, and their religious leaders to mobilize their spiritual, moral, and social assets to end to the violence and care for the displaced, the wounded, and all those affected.
The Council fully recognizes the maturity of Kenyan politicians and thus appeals to them to reach out to one another to seek political solutions to the current situation and to stand together to end violence and begin a process of national healing and reconciliation.
The Religions for Peace ACRL appeals to the religious leadership in Kenya to work together for peace, show leadership and give moral direction to a nation in crisis. This leadership is needed NOW.
Signed,
His Grace John O. Onaiyekan
Archbishop, Archdiocese of Abuja
Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders
H.E. Sheikh Shaban Mubajje
Grand Mufti, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council
Co-Chair, Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders
To read more about Religions for Peace action in Kenya, please click here.
