RELIGION AND PEACE BUILDING IN AFRICA

Proceedings of the International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies on African Ideologies, Human Security and Peace Building, 10th -11th June 2020

EDITOR
Ikechukwu Anthony KANU
Ejikemeuwa J. O. NDUBISI

First Published in 2020

A publication of The Association for the Promotion of African Studies

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by The Association for the Promotion of African Studies

ISBN: 978-978-984-932-1

INTRODUCTION

It is generally accepted in some quarters that religion constitutes the second nature of the African people. Religion, no doubt, permeates the way of life of an African. It dictates the likes and dislikes of an African. No wonder J. S. Mbiti observed that “Africans are notoriously religious.”1 Religion is such a powerful force that can be used to make or mar a particular society. It can serve as a tool for unity or disunity depending on how it was employed.

In recent times, Africa has been engulfed with series of security challenges and violent conflicts, some of which can be attributed to religious intolerance. In Nigeria, for instance, there are cases of religious crises almost on a daily basis. Human beings are killed and properties are destroyed on the ground of religious violence.

Being highly disturbed by the above scenario, African scholars have asked: Is religion fundamentally an instrument of peace or violence? To what extent can religion be employed to maintain peace and harmonious coexistence in Africa? These and the related questions bothered the Association for the Promotion of Afican Studies (APAS). Therefore, the book in your hands is part of the fruits of their reflections on the above questions. This book is a collection of some papers that were read at the 2020 APAS International Conference (10 – 11 June) with the theme: African Ideologies, Human Security and Peacebuilding. This book hinglights the unique importance of religion in peacebuilding in Africa. The ten (10) chapters herein advocate for religious tolerance and harmonious coexistence among African people irrespective of religious background. Religion, in the understanding of this book, should be a factor for unity and not disunity in Africa.