AMECEA: Easter is a Celebration of Life and therefore Peace
AMECEA
is a region that is well endowed and blessed in many ways and we continue
celebrating many gifts like the good people, life and faith, resources of all
kinds and so forth. As well as that, the region is faced with antagonistic
forces that continuously make peace a rare gem within our boarders but at
different intensities. I would want to make mention of three countries that
need our special prayers, namely South Sudan, Malawi (On account of the imminent elections) and Kenya.
is a region that is well endowed and blessed in many ways and we continue
celebrating many gifts like the good people, life and faith, resources of all
kinds and so forth. As well as that, the region is faced with antagonistic
forces that continuously make peace a rare gem within our boarders but at
different intensities. I would want to make mention of three countries that
need our special prayers, namely South Sudan, Malawi (On account of the imminent elections) and Kenya.
South Sudan
is the youngest member state of AMECEA whose celebrations in July 2011 to usher
in a new chapter for South Sudan as an independent country came with much
jubilation, inspiration and hope, that true peace, freedom and prosperity is
finally home. It is clear that the reason why the robust inauguration of South
Sudan elicited so much excitement is because for about forty years, that part
of Africa did not know peace. The forty years of war left the country in a
sorry state of inadequate education, medical care, infrastructure and
sky-rocketing poverty levels. It is with sorrowful hearts that we note how
quickly S. Sudan is rescinding back to the turbulent years of conflict
precipitated by the protracted war and the consequent loss of lives. Let us continue on
the path of prayers for this great country.
is the youngest member state of AMECEA whose celebrations in July 2011 to usher
in a new chapter for South Sudan as an independent country came with much
jubilation, inspiration and hope, that true peace, freedom and prosperity is
finally home. It is clear that the reason why the robust inauguration of South
Sudan elicited so much excitement is because for about forty years, that part
of Africa did not know peace. The forty years of war left the country in a
sorry state of inadequate education, medical care, infrastructure and
sky-rocketing poverty levels. It is with sorrowful hearts that we note how
quickly S. Sudan is rescinding back to the turbulent years of conflict
precipitated by the protracted war and the consequent loss of lives. Let us continue on
the path of prayers for this great country.
Malawi
is on the path of the general elections and once again, we hold our breath for peaceful
elections. Chaos has been witnessed in our countries before, during or soon
after elections. It will be recalled that in the last general elections of
2009, Malawi enjoyed amazingly peaceful elections which were highly
commendable. However, the statement released by CCJP-ECM pointed to a different
scenario where conflicts seem to characterize the campaigns to the suppression
of true democracy. The campaign watch indicate that political parties are not
getting equal opportunities of carrying out their campaigns peacefully and this
is generating tensions and even fights. This is a bad sign considering that the
general elections are only few weeks away. As we hope that all goes well, let
us keep Malawi in our prayers for peaceful elections.
is on the path of the general elections and once again, we hold our breath for peaceful
elections. Chaos has been witnessed in our countries before, during or soon
after elections. It will be recalled that in the last general elections of
2009, Malawi enjoyed amazingly peaceful elections which were highly
commendable. However, the statement released by CCJP-ECM pointed to a different
scenario where conflicts seem to characterize the campaigns to the suppression
of true democracy. The campaign watch indicate that political parties are not
getting equal opportunities of carrying out their campaigns peacefully and this
is generating tensions and even fights. This is a bad sign considering that the
general elections are only few weeks away. As we hope that all goes well, let
us keep Malawi in our prayers for peaceful elections.
The
terrorist attack meted on innocent Kenyans at the Westgate shopping Mall on
that fateful day of 21st September 2013, that left over 70 people dead is only
one of a series of similar attacks taking place around Nairobi and other parts
of the country. Clearly, Kenya has become a target of these attacks that have
seen endless loss of lives and destruction of property. The foregoing
environment has left the people Kenya with great fear and thirsty of peace.
Insecurity brings forth under-development and disharmony which denies any human
person one of the most basic rights; the right to a peaceful existence. As Kenya
struggles with this great challenge of terrorism let us keep her in our prayers
and offer the required support so as to save lives that are lost everyday in
these attacks.
terrorist attack meted on innocent Kenyans at the Westgate shopping Mall on
that fateful day of 21st September 2013, that left over 70 people dead is only
one of a series of similar attacks taking place around Nairobi and other parts
of the country. Clearly, Kenya has become a target of these attacks that have
seen endless loss of lives and destruction of property. The foregoing
environment has left the people Kenya with great fear and thirsty of peace.
Insecurity brings forth under-development and disharmony which denies any human
person one of the most basic rights; the right to a peaceful existence. As Kenya
struggles with this great challenge of terrorism let us keep her in our prayers
and offer the required support so as to save lives that are lost everyday in
these attacks.
Peace
is one of the greatest gifts that Christ gave to his disciples “my peace I give you” which was also an
emphasis on its importance. Peace signifies harmony, an environment without
which life cannot be fully promoted. Christ the author of life correctly grants
peace to his beloved showing the relationship between life and peace. “I came so that you may have life and have
it to the full” John. 10:10. This abundance of life is profoundly
demonstrated in the death and resurrection of our Lord, “Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies it remains only a single seed.
If it dies it bears much fruit” John: 12:24. “Much fruit” here refers to “life
in full” which presupposes a disturbed life. This is therefore a movement
from disharmony to harmony, disintegration to integration, division to unity, conflict
to peace and so on. Celebration of Easter is logically a celebration of our
peace and that remains our hope in the face of these conflictual situations.
is one of the greatest gifts that Christ gave to his disciples “my peace I give you” which was also an
emphasis on its importance. Peace signifies harmony, an environment without
which life cannot be fully promoted. Christ the author of life correctly grants
peace to his beloved showing the relationship between life and peace. “I came so that you may have life and have
it to the full” John. 10:10. This abundance of life is profoundly
demonstrated in the death and resurrection of our Lord, “Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies it remains only a single seed.
If it dies it bears much fruit” John: 12:24. “Much fruit” here refers to “life
in full” which presupposes a disturbed life. This is therefore a movement
from disharmony to harmony, disintegration to integration, division to unity, conflict
to peace and so on. Celebration of Easter is logically a celebration of our
peace and that remains our hope in the face of these conflictual situations.
As we
receive the news of the resurrection of our Lord lets us all be refreshed on
the understanding that in the new life of Christ’s Glory, all shall be created
a new.
receive the news of the resurrection of our Lord lets us all be refreshed on
the understanding that in the new life of Christ’s Glory, all shall be created
a new.
We
wish you a happy Easter Celebrations!
wish you a happy Easter Celebrations!
SOURCE:
AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk
AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk
