Churches and Peace in Africa; the role of the churches in the peace process

Dr Jan van Butselaar, Netherlands Missionary Council (Nederlandse Zendingsraad).

Africa has seen some of the most cruel conflicts in recent times, where ethnic groups and political parties were prepared to use any violent means to gain or hold on to power. Yet Africa is also known as a continent where church and Christianity are important features of society. What have the churches in Africa done to bring peace and reconciliation to their people?

The recently published book “Church and Peace in Africa” by Jan van Butselaar describes the development of the relationship between church and state in Africa, both in general terms and by focusing on the situation in three particular countries: Mozambique, South Africa and Rwanda. What exactly has been the role of the churches in these countries to further the peace process? The author distinguishes three very different models of mediation. In each case, churches have played an important part in the struggle for peace and will continue to do so in the years to come.