Nairobi, December 18, 2008

The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) is disturbed by news saying that “African Churches Request God to Take Mugabe”, carried by certain international media and allegedly emanating from the recently concluded 9^th General Assembly of the AACC in Maputo, 7-12^th December. This statement is inaccurate.

The AACC, at its General Assembly, discussed with serious concern the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe and called on the member churches to continue working and praying together with the brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe for an end to the human suffering of the people and for justice, peace and reconciliation to prevail.

The AACC acknowledged with self-criticism that not enough has been done so far and called on the AU and its member states to intensify pressure on President Mugabe to relinquish control of the Zimbabwe government and to facilitate healing and recovery.

In his sermon at the closing worship of the Assembly, the Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia (WCC General Secretary) affirmed the role played by the SADC appointed facilitator to the Zimbabwe crisis, former President Thabo Mbeki, who gave the closing address to the Assembly. Rev. Dr. Kobia also acknowledged Mr. Mbeki’s very difficult task and called for perseverance in the efforts to end the Zimbabwe crisis.

The AACC reiterates its call on its members and the international community to continue manifesting their love and support for the suffering people of Zimbabwe through relentless prayers, humanitarian support and all possibly peaceful advocacy actions.

The full statement issued by the AACC 9^th General Assembly in Maputo, Mozambique from 7-12 is here-below.

For more information please contact

Ms. Catherine Ouma 254 722 760533

Ms Mbari Kioni 254 722 527012

Nairobi December 17, 2008

Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa new President of the

All Africa Conference of Churches

Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa is the new President of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). He was elected at the just concluded AACC 9^th General Assembly held in Maputo, Mozambique from 7-12 December, 2008.

Archbishop Mokiwa, Tanzanian, replaces the Rt. Rev. Dr. Nyansako-ni-Nku of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, who provided exemplary leadership for the last 5 years. He will be assisted in his work by five Vice-Presidents drawn from Western Africa (Bishop A. Mensah), Central (Bishop D. Yemba), South (Mrs. F. Cherinda), North (Mrs. J. Kwaje) and Bishop Paul, a one representative of the Orthodox family.

Archbishop Mokiwa was inducted into office on December 12, 2008 in Maputo, Mozambique, at a ceremony attended by H.E. Thabo Mbeki, former president of South Africa. At the same ceremony other members of the governing body were inducted including Rev. Dr. André Karamaga, the new AACC General Secretary.

The Rt. Rev. Mokiwa is the fifth Primate of the Anglican Church of Tanzania elected in February 2008 for a five year term. His consecration ceremony on 24 May 2008 in Dodoma, Tanzania, was attended by members of the ecumenical family including the AACC. He will continue in service of his church even as President of AACC. Previously, Archbishop Mokiwa served as a member of both the AACC General and Executive Committee, AACC governing organs.

Archbishop Mokiwa joins the AACC leadership at a time when the Church in Africa is faced with a lot of critical challenges among them the crisis of governance such as in Zimbabwe; wars and insecurity e.g. in the Great Lakes Region and in the Horn of Africa and widespread poverty. Archbishop Mokiwa is bringing his vast experience into the ecumenical movement and will contribute towards reconstruction and transformation of the continent.

AACC is a Pan-African Christian organisation founded in 1963 in Kampala, Uganda. It brings together in fellowship 173 churches and Christian councils from 40 African countries.

Preamble It is a well known fact that women have been dehumanised by the many wars and conflicts in Africa, that they have been subjected to the worst forms of violence including rape and other forms of sexual assault, have been both internally displaced and at times made refugees and widows by the wars. Indeed violence against women and rape in particular have become a much used weapon of war. African women have witnessed their children, husbands and other relatives killed, brutalized or die from effects of conflicts. They have seen the disappearance of their kin with some forcefully recruited join different warring factions as sex slaves porter and even as active combatants. They have suffered immeasurable trauma, physical disabilities and loss of livelihoods and opportunities. It is also true that in spite of all these, women have been the first to break the walls of enmity created by conflicts and wars by reaching out to women from the opposite side. Women’s experiences therefore need to be tasken into account and women must be an integral part of the various peace processes aimed at ending conflicts and building sustainable peace. The devaluing of women’s role as agents of peace is not by coincidence.

The dominance of patriarchy Sexism, negative constructions and practice of masculinity, have all come together to marginalize and exclude women. Bearing this in mind we the women and men meeting at the 9th General Assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches from 7th – 12th December 2008 in Maputo, Mozambique recommend the following to the Churches in Africa

1. With regard to our theology – We denounce interpretation of the Bible that continues to marginalize women by through the use of exclusive language, symbolism and imagery. We call for the promotion of contextual bible studies and for the re-reading of the bible through the eyes of women. – That theological education in Africa be engendered to bring out the reality that both male and female are created in the image of God and are equal (Genesis 1:27) – We declare that male domination is not acceptable to God and should be condemned. We call upon the church to declare patriarchy a sin. – We call on the Church to support, affirm and encourage female theologians and clergy

2. With regard to women as agents of peace and reconciliation - Value and affirm women’s roles in the informal peace processes which in many instances are the beginning of healing and reconciliation at the community level - Capacity enhancement and skills development to equip women to better play their role as agents for peace and reconciliation especially in formal peace process - Utilize women already skilled in areas of peace building and conflict transformation and call upon the churches to include them in peace delegations to warring parties - Recognize, affirm and celebrate women’s nurturing role as an avenue for instilling and establishing a culture of peace

3. With regard to the role of the church in empowering women - Lead by example by increasing women’s representation in all their structures and in particular the in leadership decision-making levels - Raise awareness on issues and concerns affecting women in times of conflict - Awareness raising and advocate for the implementation of international instruments that promote the role of women in peace building and uphold the protection of women in conflict and post conflict situations (AU Solemn Declaration on gender equality and women’s empowerment, the AU charter on the rights of women, UNSCR 1325, UNSCR 1820, CEDAW, etc) - Establish, strengthen and support women’s/gender desks as hubs connecting and coordinating various gender mainstreaming efforts across programmes and also to serve as support systems to women. - To lobby, advocate and/or promote the inclusion of peace education in school curriculum. - To avail funding for response to women issues identified herein.

4. With regard to gender based violence and other challenges/factors hindering women’s role as agents of peace, reconciliation and development - The Church is called upon to speak out against female genital mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices which demean women and are used as some of the means of controlling women and especially their sexuality. - Encourage the church to break the silence surrounding violence against women and to also actively engage/participate to break the cycle of violence through campaigns such as the Tamar campaign; the provision of safe spaces to survivors of violence and provision of services that contribute to trauma healing and the restoration of the dignity of those who have been violated. - Address the issue of women’s reproductive health in view of the increasing gender based violence in conflict situation - Include men in the fight for gender equality and the promotion of gender justice. - Focus on young boys to break the cycle of negative construction and practice of masculinity and patriarchy

5. With regard to AACC Programming - Re-establishment of the Women’s Desk as the mechanism to facilitate follow-up of gender and women issues at the continental and sub-regional level. - To declare the period between the 9th and the 10th General Assembly as a period to mobilize highlight and take action and strengthen on-going initiatives on gender based violence.

6. A call to the General Assembly - To come up with a declaration on the situation of women in Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur in Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe

Dr. Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, preached during the Maputo assembly’s closing session on Friday 12 December. His remarks followed the formal induction of AACC officers including the incoming general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Andre Karamaga of Rwanda.

Earlier, the plenary featured a speech by South African former president Thabo Mbeki. Dr Kobia affirmed the world leader “in his very difficult task” of negotiating an end to the Zimbabwe crisis. Mr. Mbeki has been entrusted with this responsibility by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Dr Kobia noted some members of the week-long AACC assembly have called for the removal of Robert Mugabe as president of Zimbabwe. “This is not because we love Mugabe less,” he told Mr. Mbeki, “but because we love the suffering people of Zimbabwe more.” He added, “Peacemaking requires patience and perseverance. It must be a shared responsibility, and churches are well situated to help.”

Poverty denies human rights as surely as any political system, the Rev. Dr. Frank Chikane told the Assembly workshop on human rights on Thursday. “The degree of a person’s poverty is defined by that person’s capacity to make choices, he said. “The fewer choices you have, the fewer rights you have.”

A long-time anti-apartheid activist and former General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, Dr. Chikane in 1999 was named by Thabo Mbeki as Director General of the Republic of South Africa’s Office of the Presidency.

He called upon Africans to show solidarity with people in economic distress and warned, “Violating a person’s rights is violating a gift of God. We are all created in the image of God, and one who denies anyone free choices is undermining God.”

The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) has a new President: Anglican Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa from Tanzania, who succeeds the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Nyansako-ni-Nku.

Archbishop Mokiwa, who previously served as a member of the General Committee, was elected on Thursday, December 11 by the AACC General Assembly that is currently taking place in Maputo. The new AACC President will be assisted by five Vice Presidents chosen from different regions of Africa.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Nyansako-ni-Nku, who has held this key position for the past five years, did not stand for re-election for a second and final term. The incoming General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. André Karamaga from Rwanda, who replaces Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala – comes from the Central Africa Region. Moderator Nyansako-ni-Nku, who hails from the same region, could not contest for the office of President, according to the AACC’s Constitution.

The new AACC President and General Secretary will be inducted during the official closing worship on Friday December 12. The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) the Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia, is to preside over the service.

After successful general elections held by the people of Congo accompanied by the international community in 2006 that led to the establishment of democratic institutions and many gatherings to achieve peace with different armed groups operating in the Eastern DRC, in those comprised the Interhamwe/FDLR and the other foreign or local militias, the people of DRC are unfortunately experiencing a new senseless and confusing war with immeasurable consequences in terms of killings, a serious humanitarian situation with almost two million IDPs, destruction of properties and the environment.

Recommendations

In light of the above overwhelming situation, the AACC Ninth Assembly:

1. Condemns absolutely the war as a way to achieve peace and to reach to power in DRC, this strategic country for the global development of the whole region of Great Lakes of Africa.

1. Shares compassion with the people of DRC as they go through all these new sufferings after the death of around 5 million Congolese in the last five years of war.

1. Encourages strictly proper dialogue to overcome and solve claims and revendications on social and political levels.

1. Calls on countries and leaders of the Region and the world to respect the democratic elections in which the sovereign people of Congo have expressed their will and help the country to achieve peace in that legal frame.

1. Calls urgently on Churches to lobby their national governments to provide active support to this end.

1. Urges the General Secretary to take necessary steps for a visible and appropriate accompaniment on AACC’s side to this area with other stakeholders like FECCLAHA and Ecumenical partners.

1. We acknowledge and commend the efforts and accomplishments by the Churches in Congo under the leadership of the EEC on the ground in the sphere of repatriation after the disbarment of Rwandese combatants from DRC.

“It is well known that the continent of Africa is a religious continent and its people therefore, a religious people.” How can the church come to terms with the “rainbow of religions” that characterises African reality? This question was the focus of a presentation by Johnson A. Mbillah from the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA). AACC works closely with PROCMURA in the field of interfaith relations, since AACC does not have an own interfaith desk anymore. In his presentation he advocated strongly for “constructive engagement” with other religious groups. In the past, Christian thinking on interfaith relations discouraged relations with people of other faiths. In his view, however, “sound Christian theology” suggests that free human make free religious choices.

In order to engage constructively with other religions, Johnson A. Mbillah recommended that first “churches in Africa have their own house in order”, meaning that intra-faith relations have to be strengthened before interfaith relations can flourish. Also, interfaith relations could only be carried out by “accepting our differences and living with such differences in peace and not in pieces.” In many of the challenges of the African continent, interfaith collaboration and coordination can make a difference as their leaders listened to by people of faith. Concluding his presentation, Johnson A. Mbillah highlighted that the future of interfaith relations depended to a high degree on theological institutions. The aspect of interfaith relations needed to be incorporated in the theological formation of priests and pastors.

By Frank Jomo

Maputo, 11 December (ENI) – The All Africa Conference of Churches currently meeting in the Mozambican capital, Maputo for the once-in-five-year general assembly, took time off to inaugurate a peace monument being constructed by the Mozambican Council of Churches, 16 years after the end of the civil war in that country.

Inaugurating the monument, President of the AACC Nyansako-ni-Nku said the monument will be a living testimony that there is no conflict that dialogue cannot bring to an end. He said Mozambique has taught the world that political will can help bring conflicts “that are not in short supply in Africa” to an end.

“Mozambique has taught us today that it is the role of the Church in Africa and the whole world to be in the forefront in asking and fighting for good governance and be messengers of peace. This monument will live to preach to generations to come that it is better to use hoes than guns,” said Nyansako-ni-Nku.

He said there was euphoria in Africa in the 1960s when most of the countries attained independence. However this was for a short time as greedy politicians amassed for themselves the countries’ resources, failing to share them with the people equitably and that was the cause of the many conflicts, which some are still on-going until now.

“Mozambique experienced one of the brutal wars in Africa but that is history. However we keep on referring to the civil war in this country because of the saying that those who forget past mistakes end up repeating them. Today Mozambique has become a model of peace in Africa. In addition, through its former president Joachim Chissano, it has taught Africa, in particular that there is a time to be in power and time to leave power,” he said.

The monument is being constructed under the MCC programme of turning swords into ploughshares, according to its President Bishop Dinis Sengulane who is also head of the Lebombo Anglican Diocese in Maputo.

He said the monument will be constructed using different guns that they got from people under the TAE program. To date, Sengulane said MCC has collected 700 000 guns from people who want to give peace a chance.

And speaking later to Ecumenical News International, Sengulane who was involved in negotiations that brought an end to the 16-year civil war in Mozambique in 1992 said the monument is of great significance to the country because it will be a symbol of celebrating peace and turning instruments of wars into channels of peace.

“But not only that, this monument is also an invitation to the African continent and the world to give peace a chance to stay and grow with us. We in Mozambique are turning instruments of death into instruments of peace and hope,” he said.

Construction of the monument is still underway and will take months to complete. However the Mozambican Council of Churches took advantage of the assembly to have all the churches that are members of the AACC to bless it.