AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - The 2015 Sergio Vieira de Mello Prize will be awarded to the Interfaith Peace Platform

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Bangui (Agenzia Fides) - "The 2015 Sergio Vieira de Mello Prize will be awarded to the Interfaith Peace Platform for the work achieved to reconcile religious groups in the hope of reaching a lasting peace in Central African Republic (CAR), a country devastated by a civil war". According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides the Award ceremony will take place on 19 August 2015 in Geneva, during the events marking World Humanitarian Day at the Palais des Nations.
"The Interfaith Peace Platform shows what it takes during a crisis to bring a country together across the social, cultural and religious divides", said Laurent Vieira de Mello, President of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation. "The Interfaith Peace Platform serves as a model much needed in other Countries in conflict and shows that prevention and dialogue are the key for solving refugee and displacement".
The interfaith platform was established in 2013 by representatives of the three most important religions in the country, the Catholic Archbishop of Bangui, Mgr. Dieudonné Nzapalainga, the President of the Islamic Council in CAR, Imam Oumar Kobine Layama and by the President of the Evangelical Alliance, Pastor Nicolas Guérékoyaméné-Gbangou.
In the middle of the war, the three religious leaders agreed to act together to address the growing unrest in the Central Africa Republic. Since then they continue to persuade Muslims, Catholics and Protestants to avoid further violence and revenge among their religious communities. They travel extensively throughout the country, visiting cities and villages and talking to the communities about peace, mutual respect, tolerance and trust. In addition, their international lobby has led to the unanimous decision of the Security Council to establish a UN Peace Keeping force in CAR, (MINUSCA).
Ravaged by violence, the Central African Republic, a country at the heart of Africa, has experienced the worst crisis in its history since 2011. Manipulating religion for political purposes in the country has caused the death of hundreds of thousands of people and sent many more on the roads to exile and displacement. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/08/2015)


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