The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) in its vision statement spells out a commitment to work towards living in, and having an African continent where Christian and Muslim communities in spite of their differences, work together for justice, peace and reconciliation. The vision elaborates further, that this should lead to a holistic development of the human family and the environment. In order to translate this vision into reality, PROCMURA’s mission statement recommends Christian and Muslim constructive (not destructive) engagement for peace in society and peaceful coexistence.

As a result of this resolve, PROCMURA has over the years adopted proactive and reactive measures of conflict prevention/management as well as providing information to its constituencies on upcoming dangerous moves by violent extremists that will militate against living up to its vision and mission.

PROCMURA is concerned that the increased religious-related conflicts that is being witnessed in the Great Sahel Region and its environs, threaten the peace, security, and development of the region as well as the neighboring countries that have, so far, been enjoying some level of stability and development. The region continues to face various challenges among them political upheavals, insecurity social and economic challenges leading to poverty and unemployment among others. The escalation of violent extremism in the region involves a wide array of extremist groups committing atrocities against civilians and local authorities. Terrorist organizations including Boko Haram, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and others contribute to the violence and instability of the region.

Apart from the above mentioned, negative effects of Climate change have also led to increased violent conflicts between nomads and farmers, commonly known as the herder-farmer conflicts, as a result of the scarcity of fertile land for grazing and farming. These increased conflicts in the Sahel Region and its environs are fast growing and now creating situations of nervousness in neighboring countries that have, so far, been enjoying some level of peace, stability and development.

PROCMURA and its partners across the globe are concerned about the situation and through evaluative comments come to recognise that there is a need to evolve a strategic niche that will enhance community cohesion, and resilience against enablers of violent extremism among others. As a result of these PROCMURA decided to urgently bring together religious leaders across the region in an Interreligious Seasonal Schools to enable them look into the issues affecting the region from a religious peace building approach.

The Seasonal School model which with all intent and purposes, is initiated in response to a need to create programmes of deep learning, sharing, and action on contemporary and critical issues that are significant and affect the day to day livelihood of ordinary people and the most vulnerable. It is proving its worth as it has all the prospects of having a multiplier effect on existential issues that affect communities, societies, countries and regions.

The Interreligious Seasonal School which took place in Lome, Togo, from 10th to 13th May, 2022, brought together over fifty (50) participants across the expansive Sahel region and its neighbouring countries which included; Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Cameroun, Guinea, Benin, Togo, Chad and Ghana. Participants comprised of Religious leaders, State actors, the Political class, women leaders, youth leaders, peace activists and media practitioners.

The opening Ceremony was presided over by a representative of the Agoe Nyive Divisional office in Lome and graced by key representatives of the UN Peace and Development Office, West Africa Network for Peace (WANEP), Ecumenical organisations, Church leaders and Imams, and PROCMURA Executive Committee members among other dignitaries.

The General Adviser of PROCMURA Rev. Dr. Komi Dzinyefa Adrake, in his welcome address noted that PROCMURA is concerned about the crisis in the Sahel region which has a huge implication on religion, peace, peaceful co-existence, and the development of the African continent. He referred to an analysis of the 2021 religious freedom report of the Sahel countries which emphasized the importance of intra and interreligious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and social cohesion in restoring peace in the different countries in the Sahel region.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Kombate Soguibabe on his part, stressed the important role of religious leaders in conflict prevention/management and peacebuilding. He assured the religious leaders in Togo of the government’s support and collaboration in maintaining a peaceful society for everyone.

Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbillah PROCMURA’s Consultant, who is a well-known scholar and expert in Christian Muslim relations in Africa, on the other hand, dissected the theme of the seasonal school and provided the participants with an in depth analysis of the Sahel region. He positioned the conversation in the Greater Sahel region, by listing the violent extremists groups and analysing the underlying philosophies that undergird and motivate their violent agendas in the region, and how that poses a threat to the neighbouring countries. He cautioned participants to act together as African Muslims and African Christians and Not Muslim Africans and Christian Africans. He underscored the importance of building Christian-Muslim relations as a means of strengthening, Mutual trust, respect, and understanding.

The Theme of the three days programme; Prevention/Countering Violent Extremism and Conflict in the Sahel Region and its Environs for Sustainable Peace and Development in the African Continent, provided the basis for various speakers and participants, to share information. Intense teaching sessions provided the requisite knowledge and skills on how to address radicalization and violent extremism in the region. The topics discussed were structured in two areas to address the PROCMURA religious peacebuilding approach. Participants also presented contextual analysis on violent conflicts/radicalization and violent extremism in their respective countries.

They moved on to develop action plans to help address some of the issues mentioned in the contextual analysis. (Click here to read the communique)

The seasonal school was timely as it emphasised on the situational analysis of the region and its vulnerability to violent extremism. The warning signs were very clear during and after and immediately after the school. For example, while the proceedings were in progress Togo, the host country experienced a terrorist attack on the 11th of May 2022. A military post in Kpinkankandi near the Burkina Faso border was attacked killing soldiers and a number of the terrorists.

A few days after the seasonal school, Burkina Faso was also seriously hit by extremist groups targeting the military base in the northern part of the country leaving several civilians killed. PROCMURA continues to be hands-on and concerned about the phenomena of radicalization and violent extremism which continues to affect its work. As a faith based organisation we are convinced that religious leaders in collaboration with various stakeholders have a lot to offer in addressing the ongoing crisis in the Sahel and the wider African Continent. We are looking forward to the implementation of the action plans developed by the participants at the country levels.