Reports 1995-1998 Edited by Dwain C. Epps

Conclusions of the Regional Church Leaders Meeting on the Situation in the Great Lakes Region

Convened in Johannesburg, South Africa, 4-7 November 1996.

We, church leaders from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Zaire met at a consultative meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa from 4 7 November 1996 under the auspices of the World Council of Churches and the All Africa Conference of Churches. The ecumenical agencies were represented by Norwegian Church Aid.

The purpose of the meeting was to share information on the situation in the Great Lakes Region, to reflect on common Christian witness and to draw out general principles and strategies in order to develop a common approach to the problems in the region. After hearing reports from members of the respective countries, the following issues were identified as being of fundamental and urgent concern

Insecurity, Instability and Violence

The conference examined the recent development of events, especially the present escalation of the conflicts in the Great Lakes Region, and was able to identify the root causes of this generalised crisis as:

• 
  colonial legacy,
  
• 
  the ideology of genocide and impunity,
  
• 
  ethnocentrism which leads to extremism and exclusion,
  
• 
  the illegal trade of arms,
  
• 
  the formation of militia, and armed forces, corruption,
  
• 
  greed,
  
• 
  bribery and
  
• 
  manipulative cheap politics.
  

The conference noted that the presence of large numbers of refugees in the region is a source of instability and urged the respective governments and international organizations to facilitate a voluntary repatriation. They recognised the important role being played by agencies and NGOs which are providing humanitarian assistance to the victims of this crisis.

The conference noted the initiatives being taken to find a peaceful solution to the problems of the region by the concerned governments, the regional Heads of States, international organizations and others. The church leaders reaffirmed their conviction that dialogue, meeting of conflicting parties, and negotiation are the best ways of bringing a peaceful and lasting solution acceptable to all parties.

Governance, Participation and the Nation State

The conference found that some of the root causes of conflicts in the Great Lakes Region are the result of improper forms of governance, lack of participation by the local population and some dubious ways of gaining power as exercised by the nation state. It was observed that the majority/minority syndrome emerges from the erroneous anthropological theory that the so called superior race or group is destined to rule, while the inferior one is destined to be ruled. This form of governance favours exclusion. It is a divide and rule strategy, which in turn is a form of dictatorship. Greed and manipulation have also been used by many political opportunists to gain material possessions and high positions.

Concerning democracy it was noted that no full participation of the people can be anticipated in many states when elections are boycotted for various reasons. Similarly, many of our national constitutions are either inappropriate or inadequate to the present reality.

Africans need to redefine the concept of the nation state and the role of its institutions. The process of democratisation should take into account African cultural values. Furthermore, national issues should not be dealt with from an ethnic/tribal or racial basis.

The conference noted that the prophetic voice and critical solidarity of the Church has been weak. Lack of communication and a limited understanding of the dynamics on the political scene could be attributed to the silence of the Church.

The conference noted that the absence of a cohesive vision for Africa, to which we aspire, has made it difficult for democracy as a system for just and fair governance to become a reality in the lives of our people. National identity must be the expression of the right and responsibility of every citizen to participate in the governance of society.

The conference noted that despite the fact that the countries of the Great Lakes Region are rich in human and natural resources the population continues to grow poorer. After examining the root causes of the problem, the conference agreed that this was due to bad policies, poor planning and a lack of interest in the common good.

Although the land issue has not yet become a pressing issue, the conference noted that the current policies on land ownership and use may become a cause of conflict.

As a consequence of the lack of viable policies for sustainable industrialisation and economic development, unemployment and poverty have become a source of insecurity and permanent tensions. This can be illustrated by the existing economic imbalance between social groups in the region­.

Apart from the ongoing wars in the region, the conference noted that the economic sanctions imposed on Burundi after the coup d’état of 25 July 1996 has worsened an already fragile economic situation. A good part of the national budgets of some countries in the region are now allocated to supporting the efforts of war rather than development. The attempt to establish a bullet industry in the region is an example of the determination by some to see a continuation of the conflicts in the region.

The role of the Church in the Development of a Sustainable Society

It was emphasised during the discussions that the Church must continue to be the light and salt in the Great Lakes Region by proclaiming the Good News through word and deed. The conference reaffirmed that life is God given and that nobody has the right to destroy it. The Church should be the voice of the marginalised and the oppressed. It must always be ready to denounce the violation of human rights.

In the process of democratisation of our society, the Church has a pastoral responsibility towards political leaders and the population  The Church should participate in civic education, political awareness-creation and capacity-building. In order to exercise this ministry with a prophetic vision, church leaders need to be equipped and trained in issues of human rights, political awareness and the early warning and prevention of conflicts.

It was recommended that a communication network be established it order to facilitate working relations between local churches, national councils and the ecumenical family.

It was also recommended that a conference of the church and political leaders in the region be convened, facilitated by the World Council of Churches and the All Africa Conference of Churches.

Platform of Action

1. Pastoral visits should be organised to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Zaire with the specific objectives of gathering information on the situation on the ground and taking a message of reconciliation.

2. A strong request should addressed to the ecumenical family to help strengthen the National Christian Councils in each country so that they can be better equipped to provide meaningful ministry and concrete action.

3. An inclusive process of advocacy needs to be developed.

4. The National Christian Councils should form the core group to coordinate the follow-up action.

5. An evaluation meeting should be convened in the next 6 to 12 months to review the follow-up process.