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AACC GENERAL SECRETARY URGES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SCALE-UP THE ROLE
OF FAITH BASED COMMUNITIES IN PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS

AACC July 27, 2005 - Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala has called on the International
Ecumenical Movement to redouble their institutional investments in the
capacity of Faith Based Communities as a way of empowering them to address
global conflicts and violence.	He went on to add that the world must stand
together in addressing the increasing culture of violence and destruction
of human lives.  Dr. Dandala expressed these sentiments while heading the
AACC Executive Staff delegation for a Pastoral Visit to the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC).

While in the DRC, Dr. Dandala had the opportunity to meet and discuss with
various heads of churches in the Congo, the political leadership in the DRC
and a number of civil society groups in the DRC.  The overall objectives of
his visit are, among others things, for the AACC to accompany and stand in
solidarity with the churches of the DRC to collectively reflect on the
various challenges such as political challenges, relating to the pending
elections, economic, social, spiritual, church unity, wars and conflicts
that have continued to inflict untold pain and death to the people of the DRC.

Notwithstanding the above challenges, Dr. Dandala said the human race must
continue to have hope and embrace the ideals of a lasting peace for the
survival of humanity.  He said that in the 21st century, Africa more than
any other parts of the world, must reclaim her rightful position in the
International Community by doubling her efforts in the fight for poverty
reduction, elimination of wars, conflicts, upholding the rule of law,
respect for human rights and other fundamental civil liberties of the
people of Africa.  It is in this context that Dr. Dandala recalled the
events of the London bombings two weeks ago in which over 50 people were
killed and hundreds injured and last week s bombing in Egypt in which over
88 people died and hundreds others were injured.  Citing these tragic
events, Dandala called for the International Community to rethink anew on
the fundamental roles of Faith Based Communities in tackling wars and
violence.  It is my belief , he said, that properly structured intervention
programmes by the Faith Based Communities can go a long way in solving our
differences .

The world, he said, cannot live in anarchy and under uncertainties, adding
that such situations undermine God s gifts and abundant life for his
children because God desires nothing less for his people but justice and
abundant life .

Dr. Dandala therefore, urges, the International Ecumenical Movement to
collectively strive for the promotion of peace through dialogue as the
alternative to violence.  This, he said, is urgent, and as faith based
institutions we must act now! adding that the church in Africa and the AACC
are ready to walk together with the International Community and the
International Ecumenical Movement towards these goals.	He decried the
terrible loss of human lives and destruction of property in both London and
Egypt through the acts of those who have chosen a different path from that
of peace as desired by God for humanity.  Dr. Dandala called on Faith Based
Communities to take up a leading role and pray for peace in the world.	He
urged the faith based communities to pray for the perpetrators of evil to
turn away from ways that disregard universal values of human life and dignity.