Peace Remains “topmost priority” in Africa: Church Leaders to New African Union President

Agenda 2063 is a framework for the socio-economic transformation of Africa over the next 50 years.

Adopted by the AU in January 2015 during the 24th Ordinary session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Agenda aspires that the continent shall have gender equality, peace, democracy, inclusion and a flourishing culture of human rights by 2063. 

In his message, Rev. Mwombeki who is the Director of the Department for Mission and Development (DMD) at The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), calls on President Tshisekedi to “recommit the leadership of the African continent to the full implementation of the Agenda 2063.”

Making reference to AU’s theme for 2021, “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We want,” Rev. Mwombeki says that the people of God on the continent need to “maximize on the potential of the arts to unite it and to catalyse peace, tolerance and harmony across the continent.” 

He goes on to expression AACC’s appreciation for the operationalization of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) in 2020 and urges President Tshisekedi to encourage countries that are yet to ratify the treaty to do so and ensure its full implementation. 

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AFCTA is a treaty that establishes a continental free trade area.  It has been ratified by 31 out of the total 55 AU member countries.   

In the February 11 report, AACC General Secretary also notes that in many African countries, the “endemic corruption and growing debt are a concern for churches.” 

“We continue to raise our voice and alert governments as our moral obligation to stop corruption, and to curb the growing public debt in Africa,” says the General secretary of AACC in the report shared with ACI Africa February 11.

He adds that “the growing debt continues to draw African governments into strangleholds of foreign lenders, threatening the future independence of our countries.”

Rev. Mwombeki has also been quoted assuring President Tshisekedi of AACC’s willingness and readiness to “work with the AU for the betterment of the people of the continent.”

“Faith communities are an indispensable facet to Africa’s development,” Rev. Mwombeki says, adding, “We work in the frontlines of seeking justice, fighting poverty, and providing social services; and the spiritual development of humanity.”

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.