Eastern Africa
The Thing Behind the Thing: Christian Responses to Traditional Practices of Acknowledgement in Uganda
Joanna Quinn Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Most Ugandans have a common understanding of traditional systems of conflict resolution and their meanings. If Ugandan Christian leaders bless the modified use of customary practices it may provide helpful mechanisms for reconciliation.
Evangelical Christians and Indirect Resistance to Religious Persecution in Ethiopia
Tibebe Eshete Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Using nonviolent approaches, the evangelical church in Ethiopia refused to collaborate with the state's atheistic national projects, created a counter-culture community, and challenged the state's ideological legitimacy through protest-oriented gospel songs.
Read more: Evangelical Christians and Indirect Resistance to Religious Persecution in Ethiopia
Political Violence in Kenya and Local Churches’ Responses: The Case of the 2007 Post-Election Crisis
Philomena Njeri Mwaura, Constansia Mumma Martinon Wednesday, 9 June 2010
As Kenyan society recovers from the 2007 post-election violence, the Church is still perceived as the national institution capable of transcending ethnic boundaries, seeking reconciliation, and developing long term solutions.
Postures of Social Engagement: Reflections on Christianity after Rwanda’s Genocide
Emmanuel Katongole, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Christians have responded in three main ways to the Rwandan genocide. These postures achieved some good but were insufficient to radically alter the direction of the story that led to the 1994 genocide. [FREE]
Read more: Postures of Social Engagement: Reflections on Christianity after Rwanda’s Genocide
Kenyan Challenges for a Prophetic and Vigilant Church
Elias Opongo Wednesday, 9 June 2010
The Kenyan Church needs to be prophetic, guiding believers on the path of peace, reconciliation, and justice; vigilant, analyzing social trends and advocating for social transformation; and intrusive, participating in the various processes responsible for social wellbeing.
Read more: Kenyan Challenges for a Prophetic and Vigilant Church
Seven Stories of Rwandan Reconciliation
Stephanie Wheatley Wednesday, 9 June 2010
A review of Catherine Claire Larson, As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda (Zondervan, 2009).
Read more: Seven Stories of Rwandan Reconciliation
On Danish Cartoons: A Rejoinder to Chris Barrigar
Olufemi Olayinka Oluniyi Friday, 20 October 2006
The Executive Director of the Centre for Values and Public Issues, Lagos, Nigeria, offers insights into the complexity of Christian-Muslim relations in a violence-prone environment.
Read more: On Danish Cartoons: A Rejoinder to Chris Barrigar
Beyond Truth Commissions: Indigenous Reconciliation in Uganda
Joanna Quinn Wednesday, 1 March 2006
Some Western reconciliation mechanisms that have been implemented in non-Western contexts have proven unable to repair society because of their cultural foreignness. [FREE]
Read more: Beyond Truth Commissions: Indigenous Reconciliation in Uganda
Beyond Black Hawk Down: Papal Diplomacy and the Lessons of Somalia
Bernard O'Connor Monday, 1 March 2004
Religious leaders, such as the Pope, are a valuable source of detailed and intimate knowledge of many crisis situations and should not be ignored.
Read more: Beyond Black Hawk Down: Papal Diplomacy and the Lessons of Somalia