RE: From the CAA
“We have learnt with profound sorrow of the passing on of Mr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. Mr Tsvangirai contributed immensely toward democracy, workers’ rights and building a better nation. We salute the passion he carried as a leader and a mentor to most. He was dear to our hearts. On behalf of The Council of African Apostles, we convey our deepest condolences to the Tsvangirai family and friends. May the Lord grant them peace, comfort and strength.
May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.”
Over the years we have responded to some events and sentiments that have threatened and affected the spiritual and socio-economic values and activities in Africa using moral principles and standards of the word of God.
We, the members of the Council of African apostles (CAA), an assembly of eminent church and civil society leaders from several African countries express our support and goodwill for the leaders and people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous society. At the conclusion of our 4th Annual Apostolic Summit held in Harare, the Council urged the political leaders of Zimbabwe to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve peace and stability in Zimbabwe. We greatly commend the efforts that the political leaders of this nation, with the support of the religious community have invested in finding a lasting solution to the current political impasse. We welcome the progress recently reported by SADC that all political parties have agreed to be a part of an inclusive government that will fully represent the national character and hopes of the Zimbabwean people. We therefore encourage all the parties involved to put the past behind and focus on working together to build a prosperous and safe future for all Zimbabweans. As Apostles from various countries within the continent of Africa and in the Diaspora, we are very much aware of the complexities confronting the people of Zimbabwe and know that there are no easy solutions to all the issues facing the nation. Yet, we are deeply concerned by the suffering of the people due to the prevailing political and economic crises. We urge Zimbabweans to recognise that there is no progress without sacrifice. When confronted with significant threats, human societies throughout history have benefitted from the sacrificial choices that have been made by its leaders. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us this and showed by example that seeds of sacrifice eventually yield long lasting fruits for human and societal transformation. In light of this, we urge the political leaders of this country to make the necessary compromises that will alleviate the needless suffering the people have been subjected to. Their seeds of sacrifice today will yield the fruits of progress and development that all Zimbabwean are hoping and praying for. We assure the nation of Zimbabwe and its people of our prayers and support. African across the world eagerly await a lasting solution to the Zimbabwe crisis. We are very confident in the capacity of Africans to find solutions to African problems. May the God of Heaven look kindly upon Zimbabwe and give grace to its leaders as they embark on a new journey of working together in a spirit of national harmony beyond all sectional interests.
We, the Council of African Apostles, during our Summit deliberations in Lusaka, Zambia, considered the ongoing post-election violence enfolding the nation of Kenya. While we appreciate the ongoing meaningful dialogue towards a lasting solution and national unity, we remain concerned and seized of the matter affecting Kenya - the peaceful jewel of our continent. This has become a deep wound on all of us sons and daughters of the continent. Sometimes the greatest opportunities are hidden in tragedies. It is our hope that you will not miss the opportunity to reflect, and work collectively towards arresting the violence that is rising at epic proportions. We further implore that you be magnanimous in virtue to rise above self interest and embrace the greater agenda of national unity We prayerfully stand with you for the healing of this great nation. We send our love to you in Christ.
The year 2011 is potentially a watershed year for Africa. The year begun with waves of change that surged through the North of the continent. Although the call for change started peacefully, the protests grew violent and have culminated to a civil war in Libya with unnecessary loss of life and destruction of infrastructure and a strong African economy. In 2011, over 29 countries are facing elections with citizens voting for Presidential, Parliamentary and local government representatives. It is commendable that African leaders have taken the route of upholding democratic principles which recognize the importance of elections as a means of enabling African citizens to participate in their governance through choosing their representatives. However, of concern is the manner in which elections on the continent tend to be overshadowed with violence, claims of rigging, fear, intimidation, a much skewed playing field among other things. Election results tend to be disputed and many times these disputes lead to a stalemate, violence and unnecessary loss of life as recently witnessed in Ivory Coast. The Council of African Apostles (CAA), an assembly of eminent church leaders from across sub Sahara Africa therefore calls upon those countries going through electoral processes this year to embrace processes and practices that will lead to credible elections that are free and fair,violence free, transparent and producing credible results that are respected by all parties involved in the contests. We further encourage political leaders to submit themselves to the free will of their people and restrain from any manipulative behaviour that distorts the will of the people and makes the goal of good governance elusive. Those that lead us in this Continent must recognise that development and prosperity for Africa cannot come from a process that has been harmful, de-humanises and takes away dignity of the people that are led. As Apostles, we are motivated by God’s call to peace, integrity, righteous governance, accountability, unity, justice and goodness. We therefore call for peaceful, credible, free and fair elections in 2011. For those countries that have held their elections, we call for peaceful resolution of any disputes and the spirit of oneness and openness to working together for the development of our peoples and countries. Africans across the world want to see a developed and economically free Africa that guarantees dignity for all its children. We assure the Continent of our prayers and support. May the God of Heaven look kindly upon Africa and give grace to all those going through elections.
The recent unwarranted terrorist attacks on citizens in a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya and worshippers in Christian churches in Pakistan are deplorable acts of violence that have no basis or justification. We, the Council of African Apostles (CAA), strongly condemn these attacks in the strongest possible means. As a body of believers, we uphold and recommit to the principle of diversity; but that diversity cannot lead to divergence that overtakes the sanctity of human life. We strongly advocate for peaceful solutions to immediately end this violence that has claimed many innocent lives with no stake in whatever issues are under contestation. The unnecessary loss of Christian lives in Pakistan, and lives in Nairobi is not only deplorable but cannot be tolerated in the global community. We think such methods of butchering innocent lives are cowardly and only serve to heighten tension and conflict. As Apostles, we are motivated by God’s call to peace, personal integrity, righteous governance, accountability, and goodness. We believe in a God who guarantees dignity for all people. These recent attacks have placed a dark cloud over Christians and Africans alike, deeply wounding the conscience of those who uphold human life and also leading to a deterioration of public trust and tolerance of different opinions. It is our expectation that the perpetrators of these crimes will face the full extent of governing laws and that there be swift justice for the affected. We urge the United Nations, the African Union, national governments and other relevant institutions to demonstrate visible leadership in ensuring that justice is served by bringing the perpetrators to book and also taking necessary precautions to restore law and order in the affected regions. We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and assure them of our continued prayers that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ would be their Comfort in this time of questioning, grief and loss. We prayerfully stand with you for the healing of your hearts. May the God of Heaven continue to look kindly upon Africa and give grace to us all.
