wfn.org | All Africa News Agency March 3, 2003 (c)

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

AANA BULLETIN No. 08/03 March 3, 2003 (c)

ALL AFRICA NEWS AGENCY
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AANA Bulletin	-  Acting  Editor -Elly Wamari				     
  
Bulletin APTA -  Acting Editor - Silvie Alemba

Church Leaders Discuss Pro-Active Approach To Peace

KIBUYE, Rwanda (AANA) March 3 - Church leaders in Rwanda and the Democratic 
Republic of Congo (DRC), have committed to intensify pro-active approaches 
to peace and reconciliation between the two countries, currently in conflict.

After a historic peace consultation held here between February 19-20, the 
church leaders released a communiqui (February 20) stating: "We [have] 
agreed to be more vigilant and more determined in our prophetic mission, by 
preventing potential conflicts from becoming wars that takes lives of our 
people."

The meeting, which was jointly organised by the Church of Christ in Congo 
(CCC) and Protestant Council of Churches in Rwanda (PCCR), brought together 
30 church leaders.

It was jointly facilitated by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), 
Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes Region and 
Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA), the World Council of Churches (WCC), and 
German-based United Evangelical Mission (UEM).

In an interview with AANA, Dr. Comlan Prosper Deh, Executive Secretary for 
Ecumenical Relations Desk at AACC, said the meeting deliberated on a 
diversity of issues including healing, advocacy and Human rights, that were 
key to peace building.	He represented AACC at the meeting.

Participants called on churches in Rwanda and DRC to engage fully in the 
ministry of healing in the two countries. They stressed that such ministry 
should incorporate mutual visits of church leaders, women and youth, in 
order to promote peace and reconciliation between communities.

The communiqui, signed by Bishop Marini Bodho of Church of Christ in Congo 
and Bishop Onesphore Rwaje of Protestant Council of Churches in Rwanda 
empahised a dedication by the Church to protect human rights.

  "We have decided to be more seriously engaged in the defence of rights of 
our people as one of the ways to enhance peaceful co-existence and 
sustainable development of our two countries," the church leaders stated.

The statement further observed: "We strongly dedicate our brothers and 
sisters from Congo and Rwanda to the divine grace and protection of God. We 
take this opportunity to remind them the wise words of Prophet Jeremiah - 
And work for peace and prosperity of that city where you are held 
captivefor Babylon has peace, so will you  (Jeremiah 29: 7)".

The church leaders said there was need for people to be educated about the 
importance of a culture of peace and respect for human life.

Key personalities present at the meeting included Rev. Dr.  Andre Karamaga, 
WCC's head of Africa Desk, Rev. Dr. Kakule Molo, also head of the Africa 
Desk at UEM and Ms. Janette Uwizeye of FECCLAHA.

Reported By Osman Njuguna

African Govts Tipped On How To Attract Investment

NAIROBI (AANA) March 3 - African governments need to provide an enabling 
environment for any meaningful growth in domestic and foreign investment to 
be realised in their respective countries.

In an exclusive interview with AANA, the Regional Adviser for Africa for 
International Organisation of Employers (IOE), Frederick Muia, said such 
environment should include taxation systems that encourage, rather than 
discourage investments in all enterprises.

IOE is a world-wide umbrella body for employers' organisations, whose role 
is to co-ordinate employers viewpoints at the International Labour 
Organisation (ILO), to ensure that concerns on issues that affect them are 
taken care of.

Muia said for Africa to realise development, it has to embrace the 
initiative of New Partnerships for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

He was speaking on behalf of  the General Secretary of IOE, Antonio 
Penalosa, during an East, Central and Southern Africa Employers 
Organisation Conference in Nairobi (February 24-25).

"NEPAD will chart out a broad framework for the economic and social revival 
of the African continent," he said.

Muia pointed out that because peace and stability were a pre-requisite for 
economic and social development, African governments needed to reassure 
investors of safety of their investments.

"A transparent and efficient administration system ensures sound economic 
institutions, appropriate investments, stable macro-economic environment, 
flexible labour laws and good governance, plus commitment to the rule of 
law," said Muia.

The IOE advisor for Africa called on African governments to provide 
enabling environments for job creation, by attracting both domestic and 
foreign investments.

Reported By Herman Kasili