AFRICA/NIGERIA - "Stop the violence, the causes are not only religious": statement from the Archbishop of Jos

Jos (Agenzia Fides) - "The cycle of violence resulting in killings, bloodshed and the destruction of people’s hard earned means of livelihood in Jos and environs is, to say the least, very disturbing, a source of great agony and a terrible embarrassment to all people of good will", says His Exc. Mgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos (Nigeria), in a statement sent to Fides, released in the aftermath of a new confrontation between Christians and Muslims which caused the deaths of 13 people (see Fides 30/8/2011).
"Thou shalt not kill is a command valid in both Christianity and Islam", recalls Mgr. Kaigama who appeals for dialogue as "the best solution irrespective of the level of confrontation or provocation. Knives, bows and arrows, guns, explosives and bombs will never bring about the desired resolution; rather, they only heighten mutual hatred which culminates in a harvest of unfortunate deaths and misery".
The Archbishop of Jos contests the simplistic interpretation of religious contrasts as the only source of religious violence. "Rather than reduce the reason for the incessant attacks to religious differences only, the root causes of the incessant mayhem must be identified by the relevant authorities and decisively and definitively addressed" writes Mgr. Kaigama.
"We call all men and women of good will to prayers, while urging the relevant authorities to decisively act to permanently bring this trend to an end, save us from further national and international embarrassment, and to save precious lives and hard earned properties", continues the message.
Jos, capital of Plateau State, was until a few years ago, a holiday resort frequented by people from all over Nigeria. Mgr. Kaigama thus hopes to "restore justice in honor of the dead and create a more conducive atmosphere for those who want to invest in Plateau State, or come and enjoy our 'house of peace', without fears of being attacked or harassed. In truth, no Nigerian of good will is proud of our present predicament". "In God we trust and we believe that He can restore permanent peace, but let us do our part by being agents of peace and positive social transformation" the message concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/08/2011)