From:
Justice and Peace Desk
AMECEA is a region that is well
endowed and blessed in many ways and we continue celebrating many gifts like
the good people, life and faith, resources of all kinds and so forth. As well
as that, the region is faced with antagonistic forces that continuously make
peace a rare gem within our boarders but at different intensities. I would want
to make mention of three countries that need our special prayers, namely South
Sudan, Malawi (On account of the imminent elections) and Kenya.
South Sudan is the youngest member
state of AMECEA whose celebrations in July 2011 to usher in a new chapter for
South Sudan as an independent country came with much jubilation, inspiration
and hope, that true peace, freedom and prosperity is finally home. It is clear
that the reason why the robust inauguration of South Sudan elicited so much
excitement is because for about forty years, that part of Africa did not know
peace. The forty years of war left the country in a sorry state of inadequate
education, medical care, infrastructure and sky-rocketing poverty levels. It is
with sorrowful hearts that we note how quickly S. Sudan is rescinding back to
the turbulent years of conflict precipitated by the protracted war and the consequent
loss of lives. Let us continue on the path of prayers for this great country.
Malawi is on the path
of the general elections and once again, we hold our breath for peaceful elections.
Chaos has been witnessed in our countries before, during or soon after
elections. It will be recalled that in the last general elections of 2009,
Malawi enjoyed amazingly peaceful elections which were highly commendable.
However, the statement released by CCJP-ECM pointed to a different scenario where
conflicts seem to characterize the campaigns to the suppression of true
democracy. The campaign watch indicate that political parties are not getting
equal opportunities of carrying out their campaigns peacefully and this is
generating tensions and even fights. This is a bad sign considering that the
general elections are only few weeks away. As we hope that all goes well, let
us keep Malawi in our prayers for peaceful elections.
The terrorist attack meted
on innocent Kenyans at the Westgate shopping Mall on that fateful day of 21st
September 2013, that left over 70 people dead is only one of a series of
similar attacks taking place around Nairobi and other parts of the country.
Clearly, Kenya has become a target of these attacks that have seen endless loss
of lives and destruction of property. The foregoing environment has left the
people Kenya with great fear and thirsty of peace. Insecurity brings forth
under-development and disharmony which denies any human person one of the most
basic rights; the right to a peaceful existence. As Kenya struggles with this
great challenge of terrorism let us keep her in our prayers and offer the
required support so as to save lives that are lost everyday in these attacks.
Peace is one of the greatest
gifts that Christ gave to his disciples “my
peace I give you” which was also an emphasis on its importance. Peace
signifies harmony, an environment without which life cannot be fully promoted.
Christ the author of life correctly grants peace to his beloved showing the
relationship between life and peace. “I
came so that you may have life and have it to the full” John. 10:10. This
abundance of life is profoundly demonstrated in the death and resurrection of
our Lord, “Unless a grain of wheat falls
and dies it remains only a single seed. If it dies it bears much fruit” John:
12:24. “Much fruit” here refers to “life in full” which presupposes a
disturbed life. This is therefore a movement from disharmony to harmony,
disintegration to integration, division to unity, conflict to peace and so on. Celebration
of Easter is logically a celebration of our peace and that remains our hope in
the face of these conflictual situations.
As we receive the news of
the resurrection of our Lord lets us all be refreshed on the understanding that
in the new life of Christ’s Glory, all shall be created a new.
We
wish you a happy Easter Celebrations!
