Abidjan, 29 January, 2020 / 1:59 am (ACI Africa).
Following the cancellation of the peace march by the Catholic Archdiocese of Abidjan in Ivory Coast that had been slated to take place in mid-February over security concerns, a priest from the west African country has described the search for peace in his native country as “far from being a tangible reality.”
“It is unfortunate to see that a simple peaceful march, and moreover praying for peace, has hatched from the bottom of hearts a lot of hatred and prepared minds for unparalleled violence. Fr. Donald Zagore who ministers in neighboring Togo said in a reflection sent to ACI Africa Monday, January 27.
Given this situation, the Ivorian cleric said, “it should be honestly recognized that peace in Côte d'Ivoire is far from being a tangible reality.”
Last week, the Archbishop of Abidjan, Jean Pierre Cardinal Kutwa announced the February 15 peace march under the theme, "Let us go towards peace" aimed at praying for the upcoming presidential elections in October.
However, on Sunday, January 26, the Archbishop, in a communique signed by the Communications Officer of the Archdiocese, Fr. Augustin Obrou, announced the cancellation of the march.