KIGALI CONFERENCE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS FORMS EAC INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE

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The five-day East African conference on inter-religious collaboration to strengthen peace and security concluded successfully in Kigali, Republic of Rwanda, today with a resolution to create first ever East African Community Inter-Religious Council (EAC IR Council) for sustainable dialogue and information sharing among and between religious leaders and communities in the Region.

The leaders of Inter-Religious Councils of Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda signed in full view of over 150 delegates a two-page dubbed "Kigali Declaration" to pursue justice, peace and security also facilitate dialogue and shared vision in the face of the distortion of religious values and principles in the Region, among others.

They also agreed on promoting education of the youth as well civic education and encouraging a focused attention on youth unemployment and advocacy in situations of discrimination, corruption, nepotism and maladministration.

"Accepting that religious leaders have a specific responsibility to model the behavior that contributes to peace and justice, we further commit to the values of inclusivity and respect for diversity, integrity, industriousness, fidelity to truth and equality," read in part the Declaration. (The scanned and signed full version of the Kigali Declaration will be available on the EAC website http://www.eac.int from Monday 22 September 2014)

Closing the well-attended conference, Rwanda's Minister for Internal Security Hon. Sheikh Musa Fadhil Harelimana lauded the religious leaders for forming the regional inter-religious council, stressing that religious leaders have special position and role in strengthening peace and security in the Region.

"Spiritually they [religious leaders] are closer to people's mindset. Physically they reach people of all kinds, every day and at all levels of society," he said, adding that this puts religious leaders in special position capable of influencing people's behavior and actions beyond imaginable degrees.

Rwanda's Minister also pointed out religious conflicts are result of the zeal of some religious leaders to win converts and lead believers according to their personal perception rather than the spiritual calling.

The formation of the first Inter-Religious Council, he said, would no doubt be key in enhancing a culture of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and good neighborliness, which are key tenets enshrined in the Treaty establishing EAC.

The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said that the recommendations of the just-ended conference would be shared with the Council of Ministers meeting in November and the Summit of the Heads of State.

"Through the EAC-IRC, the EAC Secretariat will engage the new body on matters relating to peace and security with a view to preventing the escalation of conflicts to violence and enhancing harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the EAC region," he told the attentive delegates which included Archbishops, Bishops, Sheikhs, Muftis and Heads of Religious communities in the region, among others.

Different religious leaders also blessed the "Kigali Declaration" with special prayers and to see that religious sanity and respect is restored in the Partner States for mutual progress and speedy economic transformation.

Also present at the occasion was Miriam Heidtmann, GIZ's Manager responsible for Peace and Security who assured of support in the region's quest for security and stability.

Meanwhile, about 20 journalists and editors from the Partner States were awarded certificates after successfully attending a four-day advance training on reporting inter-religious conflicts in the EAC Region, in Kigali Friday. The training ran parallel to the EAC conference on inter-religious collaboration. The Head of EAC Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Mr Owora Richard Othieno, urged scribes to put to full use the knowledge and skills, which they acquired from the training.

"We expect you to report extensively on the regional integration issues objectively and in a balanced manner," he said.

Since 2011, EAC Secretariat in collaboration with GIZ, has trained about 150 editors, journalists, photographers, script-writers and documentalists on different aspects of regional integration process.

Guest of Honour hon. Harelimana hands over to the EAC deputy secretary general a copy of the signed Kigali declaration

Deputy Secretary General and the guest of honour share a point at the closure of the conference.

Representatives of the religious leaders and the Deputy Secretary General display the signed Kigali declaration to the delegates as the guest of honour witnesses

Guest of honour, Deputy Secretary General, heads of religious communities and Miriam of GIZ in a group photo after the conclusion of the conference.