Author Archives: David Omondi

Appreciating and designing context based interventions in conflict situation requires a good understanding of the socio-political dynamics by both regional and global ecumenical organizations and peace actors for timely and strategic engagements, full implementation and monitoring of the recommendations.

As such, FECCLAHA has been at the fore front in undertaking annual context analyses with trends, possible scenarios and putting forward key recommendations for action by all peace actors. This year, FECCLAHA built a series of scenarios and potential dynamics, drawing its connectivity to the 2023 analysis and reflections on the 2022 trends; the major focus being: armed groups, national stability and regional cooperation; the implementation of peace agreements; and the role as well as the potential impacts of peace keeping mission exits in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

FECCLAHA previously made a recommendation that there was need to pay close attention to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) which according to in its 2022 analysis, had not been part of any peace negotiations either in DRC or Uganda. “The ADF group are unique and unpredictable; it may start instilling some high level radicalization based on social and economic grievances and initiate political struggles; and may begin initiating  isolated or joint attacks on places of worship or government institutions”, it read in part. Unfortunately, this observation came to pass when ADF bombed churches in DRC (January 2023) and Uganda (December 2023) claiming lives and destroying property, highlighting the call for joint, timely and strategic engagements to avert such occurrences by peace and security actors.

From the year 2023 analysis key regional trends and dynamic are featured including: agreements implementation and transitions (South Sudan’s 2018 R-ARCSS transition extension roadmap; Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and TPLF Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) and Nairobi Agreement ‘to permanently silence the guns and end the two years of conflict in northern Ethiopia’; DRC-Rwanda Agreement/ revival of the joint Commissions to facilitate ‘cessation of hostilities and normalization of bilateral relations; and the Nairobi Agreement between the Government of DRC and M23 armed group); elections and electoral processes, reforms, peace keeping transitions, regional cooperation and violent armed groups.

Cross-border issues and bilateral relations (Ethiopia-Sudan, Kenya-South Sudan, Ethiopia-Somaliland, Ethiopia-Eritrea, Burundi-Uganda, Burundi-DRC and Kenya-Uganda); Elections and electoral process with a focus on South Sudan expected to hold its first elections in December 2024;  Peace agreements and processes; the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) contestations; Armed groups, social protests and violent extremism; and Humanitarian situation in Sudan are among the year 2024 environment prospects accompanied by detailed recommendations.

In disseminating the 2024 analysis, FECCLAHA convened a virtual stakeholder’s forum on 27^th February 2024 where the participants were taken through the trends, scenarios and key recommendations for strategic action for a peaceful and secure Africa.

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The Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA) has launched its 2024-2028 strategic plan which integrates key priorities in various regional development frameworks in governance, peace and security as well as Sustainable Development Goals.

“This follows the successful implementation of the FECCLAHA 2019 to 2023 strategy that saw over thousands of people positively impacted across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa Region through more than 300 initiatives.” said Jeannette Uwizeye, FECCLAHA Executive Director.

In the new 2028 to 2028 strategy, unveiled on 26th October 2023 in Kigali-Rwanda, the Fellowship will integrate early warning and response actions, trauma healing approaches, research and documentation, enhanced/strategic partnerships and economic empowerment major components in the execution and the delivery of impactful project initiatives that addresses urgent needs and concerns arising from the review of the previous strategy.

Through its Regional Peace Village, also unveiled on the eve of the new strategy launch, FECCLAHA  will, in its new strategic plan,  deepen its commitment to provide selfcare and healing among Church Leaders, Women and Youth by providing a safe space for self reflection and self healing against all trauma they encounter as peace builders.

“A peace village is derived from the concept of the traditional African village –meaning a community of people living together. Our new strategy encompassed the Regional Peace Village, a space where Church Leaders, Women and Youth can share on what is disturbing them, listen to their inner voice, heal and move on with the peacebuilding work while putting trauma behind them. As peace builders we first need to be healed ourselves, that is why we have incorporated this as a key delivery component so that through all our interventions, we do not end up with or working with people who need help,” said Fr. James Oyet, Chairman, FECCLAHA.

Under its pillar on Peace, Social Cohesion and Regional Integration, FECCLAHA seeks to integrate approaches that not only contributes to the national peace and social cohesion agenda of her member national councils and churches but also strengthens the capacity of Church Leaders, Women and Youth as well as faith actors or strategic actors for their effective engagements in the implementation of the integration agenda as well as advocacy against proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in the region. To further harness the potential of the youth, this pillar will have youth skills development interventions such as youth economic empowerment initiatives and support to youth start up initiatives, potentially leading to job creation.

Under Governance and Accountability, FECCLAHA will enhance capacity and skills of member national councils and churches, Church Leaders, Women and Youth in electoral processes and resource management in the region. This pillar will also enhance FECCLAHA’s role in advancing accountable governance systems and policy influencing.

The third pillar, Gender justice, will enhance the prevention of and response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence as well as women participation in the life of the church and society.This will seek to break the cycle of violence and bridge the gender gap in the society.

Under the fourth pillar, Institutional Strengthening, FECCLAHA seeks to further strengthen the capacity of its different structures and members; develop and implement a resource mobilization strategy as well as undertake research and collaborate with research and learning institutions to improve its adaptive capacity to regional dynamics.

Richard Mutabazi, Mayor of the District of Busegera, launches the FECCLAHA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028.

Richard Mutabazi, Mayor of the District of Busegera, speaking during the launching ceremony, noted that the agenda of promoting and advancing regional integration cannot be left to the politicians alone. He also commended FECCLAHA and all the Church leaders for their role in advocating for equitable society from the level of the community. He appreciated the dedication to pursue peaceful societies based on African ideologies, likening the Peace Village concept to the local Gacaca system which served to reconcile Rwandan citizens through participatory processes and Rwandan culture-based systems.

“The FECCLAHA Strategic Plan 2024-2028 has a very critical area-regional integration and social cohesion which by itself is a commitment that church leaders will be complementing what is being done by the political leaders thus building synergies for the prosperity of the region and the continent at large”, he said

Father James Oyet Latansio, the FECCLAHA Chairperson, giving the official opening remarks during the 2023 Regional Ecumenical Forum (REF)

The representatives of National Councils of Churches and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa under the auspices of the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA) gathered in the Regional Ecumenical Forum (REF) held at La Palisse Hotel, in Nyamata, Rwanda on 25-26 October 2023.

The Regional Ecumenical Forum (REF) is a key platform that draws participation from all FECCLAHA members, ecumenical partners, collaborating partners, and other stakeholders.

The aim of REF is to serve as a safe space and a strategic opportunity for the participants to share ideas and lessons, discuss challenges, re-strategize and renew their commitment and passion for their mission focusing on issues affecting the region.

Since 2011, the Regional Ecumenical Forum (REF) has been held every two years and every Regional Ecumenical Forum (REF) is guided by a theme. The 2023 Regional Ecumenical Forum (REF) was organized under the theme “Towards Peace and Security: Strengthening the role of the faith community in promoting electoral justice in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa”.

It was expected that representatives of councils of churches and churches would get together to reflect on their role and interrogate strategies taken by faith actors and other stakeholders in promoting electoral justice in the region.

”This Forum is an opportune moment to share ideas, learn lessons, discuss challenges and then strategize on how peace and justice can be achieved more particularly during electoral processes.” said Fr. James Oyet, Chairman, FECCLAHA.

Indeed, electoral violence in Africa has largely been driven by the limited political will to implement reforms democratic principles and practices including manipulation of voters and failure to manage electoral processes in general. Yet, the faith community in Africa, possess aspects that make them strategic and critical players towards electoral justice. It is with this background that the 2023 Regional Ecumenical Forum was organized.

From the discussions, the participants noted that Africa has often experienced conflicts and violence following elections. The participants agreed that these election – related conflicts are often a result of bad leadership. They noted that with no peace, people cannot achieve development. The participants, therefore, came to the conclusion that the Church is God’s instrument called to promote electoral justice through their priestly role of earnestly praying; providing mentorship to politicians; providing civic and voter education to the citizenry; advocating for the preservation of peace before, during, and after elections; and telling truth to power.

Participants pose for a photo during the Regional Ecumenical Forum (REF) meeting held at La Palisse Hotel, in Nyamata, Rwanda on 25-26 October 2023.

In this regard, the church leaders agreed that they had such a demanding task to closely work with and support political leaders to achieve electoral justice. While church leaders are invited to support the political leaders as long as they are constitutionally elected, they were encouraged to support the leaders by being exemplary in their leadership too. They stressed that this can only be achieved if they avoid the curse of ethnicity which we find more in church than in secular settings. Corruption and succession battles were also raised as serious problems that church leaders need to fight before they can also influence and advise politicians how to achieve justice.

”Avoid corruption – our own leadership should also be credible first.” said Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki, General Secretary of All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC).

Delegates savoring every moment of growth and learning at this impactful FECCLAHA Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) held in Nairobi, Kenya

A total of 30 elder and young women mediators were taken through an exposition of UNSCR 1325 and 2250 pillars on Women, Peace, and Security and Youth, Peace, and Security respectively with a view to strengthen their capacity in advocacy, lobbying, and networking as well as facilitate the process of identifying opportunities and strategies for advocacy across the region during the Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) Regional forum.

The FECCLAHA Regional Faith Women Mediation Network (REFWOMEN) consists of women from the Christian and Muslim faith with a current membership spread through 7 countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and South Sudan; was formally launched in 2017 as  structure to coordinate and consolidate the Faith Women’s voice for sustainable peace in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa region.

The training further provided space for peer-to-peer learning as it reviewed the achievements, reflected on the challenges being experienced, opportunities available, strategies employed and entry points available for advocacy efforts. On undertaking advocacy, the participants were equipped with skills on issue identification, identifying the target audience, developing messages, identifying channels of communication, building support, fundraising, implementation, data collection and monitoring and evaluation. The participants also had an opportunity to share their country chapter reports as well as come up with action plans on the next steps. Through the call to action, the participants pledged to heighten advocacy efforts.

Finding inspiration and motivation at every corner of this workshop

REFWOMEN engagements are at the national and regional level  guided by the UN SCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security and UN SCR 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security guided by pillars on: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Relief & recovery and disengagement & reintegration, and Partnership. This regional workshop will seek to build on the knowledge and skills obtained over the years as well as the skills and experiences acquired from the exposure and interventions in the different countries.

”The Inter-generational dialogue will also provide spaces for mentorship and deeper understanding of issues of concern which will in turn strengthen collaborative intervention of women (older and younger) towards advocacy for Peace and Security in the region.” said Ms. Monica Njoroge, Program Manager – FECCLAHA.

https://fecclaha.org/mainevents/fecclaha-led-delegation-seeks-active-engagement-with-au-and-other-key-stakeholders-during-their-visit-to-addis-ababa/