Pope Benedict XVI gave heavy priority to ongoing conflicts throughout Africa in his 2007 New Year?s meeting on January 8 with 175 ambassadors. This meeting and its contents are particularly noteworthy when his 2006 missteps?especially his September 2006 defilement of the Prophet Mohammed and Islam in general–are taken into account. Additionally, with al-Qaeda?s pronounced attention to Somalia (Country Profile; Intel Report), the pontiff?s regional priorities are striking. In this context, the Pope?s diplomacy and political correctness was a refreshing divergence from his past addresses.
In particular, his message was: ?We must not forget Africa with its numerous situations of war and tension? and he called on ?cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union, the governments, and other interested parties? to work toward resolution. The following countries and regions were among his priorities:
Darfur
The drama of Darfur continues and is being extended to the border regions of Chad and the Central African Republic. The international community has seemed powerless for almost four years?
The conflict, termed genocide by many, in Sudan?s Darfur continues unabated, without much international attention or support, and with government complicity and support of the Janjaweed . While UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon has also pledged to resolve the issue, Khartoum may actually allow a UN (ie non-African troop) deployment should the AU be unable to preserve security. The crisis in central Africa no longer is contained in Darfur; it is spilling over and affecting regional security (WAR Report and WAR Report). This issue will be discussed in more length in the January 24, 2007 Projections.
Somalia
The situation in the Horn of Africa has recently become more serious, with the resumption of hostilities and the internationalisation of the conflict? all parties [must] lay down their arms and to enter negotiations.
See this WAR Report for a full assessment on Somalia.
Uganda
We must pray for the progress of negotiations between the parties, in order to hasten the end of that cruel conflict, which has even seen numerous children enlisted and forced to become soldiers. This would allow the many displaced persons to return home and to resume a dignified way of life.
While Benedict?s attention is on the Lord?s Resistance Army?s use of child soldiers, other national security issues of concern include: Uganda?s political opposition is leading rallies that have drawn violent police intervention, western Uganda continues to see ADF rebel attacks, and turf and resource battles continue in the Karamoja region. Further, the Ugandan military exhibited ?horrendous performance? in the Congo, and now deployment in Somalia is hotly debated.
Great Lakes (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda)
Recent positive developments…especially the conclusion of the period of political transition in Burundi and, more recently, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The DROC?s notable political successes are a glimmer of hope in the subcontinent . President Joseph Kabila?s leadership may be a pillar for national elections elsewhere. While only one month into his term, violence has been nominal and a sense of security envelops the country. With political stability, Kabila?s administration may be able to tackle the eastern militias and rebuild his national infrastructure.
In Rwanda, I pray that the long process of national reconciliation after the genocide may finally result in justice, but also in truth and forgiveness.
This issue will be discussed in more length in the January 24, 2007 Projections.
Cote d?Ivoire
The embattled parties in Ivory Coast to create a climate of mutual trust that can lead to disarmament and peace.
Although the government claimed a military coup was narrowly avoided in mid-December, very little evidence of such has been forthcoming . The country is fracturing under President Gbagbo with rebels running the north, the government running the south, and inter-ethnic clashes in the west. Gbagbo is working hard to both undermine his own prime minister?s efforts to resolve the tensions and to close independent media outlets.
Conclusion
Interestingly, Pope Benedict avoided any reference to AIDS as the largest?and growing–threat to regional security in Africa, one that killed over two million Africans in 2006. His speech referenced other global regions, but the most resounding point as it related to Africa was: while conflict and turmoil seems omnipresent there, ?we cannot forget the African Continent.?
