This is different from theological conflicts which are mostly about religious ideas. The group refuses to register as a religious movement. In Nigeria the Boko Haram Islamists also frequently attack Muslims. A study by a German academic says religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa have been on the rise for decades. He recently published a study on the rise of armed religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa. It encompasses colonial wars, wars of independence, secessionist and separatist conflicts, major episodes of national violence (riots, massacres, etc. What counter-measures would have to be taken to stop the advance of religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa? We do not know everything yet, but some measures are likely to take hold. Why do radical groups from North Africa and the Middle East have an interest in stirring up these conflicts? Matthias Basedau: Conflicts that have a religious dimension are becoming more common worldwide and sub-Saharan Africa is no exception. From a non-religious point of view, this is mainly about long-term development. Ethiopia was the first countryto adopt Christianity as a doctrine. Somalia is one of the most unstable countries in Africa; it is also one of the most religiously homogenous countries on the continent. This book examines the ambiguous role that Christianity played in South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). What role has globalization and social media played in increasing religious conflicts? Privacy Policy | But we should not expect that this alone will make a quick and sustainable difference. What counter-measures would have to be taken to stop the advance of religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa? © Yerepouni News (Managed by Alienative.net). Why are countries in sub-Saharan Africa so vulnerable to this kind of conflict? The counter-measures must be based on a careful analysis of the causes. Please make sure to include your name and your country. RELIGION AND CONFLICT IN AFRICA WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON EAST AFRICA Bjørn Møller DIIS REPORT DIIS REPORT 2006:6 DANISH INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES. It can also be said to be an incompatibility, as of two things that cannot be simultaneously fulfilled. Contact advance of religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa? But it is not entirely clear how this influence is spreading or how strong it is. (26.10.2016). Conflict resolution in African countries Africa as a continent is endowed with enough resources to keep the world moving for years. There is no conflict based purely on religion. In fact, this mutual suspicion and lack of cordiality among the various ethnic components explains why ethnic and religious conflicts have become a permanent feature of Nigeria as a nation as far back as 1980s … This can overlap with ethnic identities, and it is clear that heterogeneous societies are more vulnerable to triggering conflicts along these lines. But we should not expect that this alone will make a quick and sustainable difference. https://www.dw.com/en/religious-conflicts-on-the-rise-in-africa/a-40645771 Send us a text at +49-160-9575 9510. International SMS charges apply. Political scientist Professor Matthias Basedau conducts research on peace and security at the GIGA Institute of Global and Area Studies in Hamburg. However in Nigeria, religious conflict does not only carry religious motive but also politically inclined such that according to Marshall, recently, the president of Nigeria was forceful in saying the Nigerian conflict has nothing to do intrinsically with religion, that is used as an excuse by politicians’ 10. Since the awakening of religion, wars have been fought in the name of different gods and goddesses. After all, if it is the word of God, how can one compromise it? 3. Political scientist Professor Matthias Basedau conducts research on peace and security at the GIGA Institute of Global and Area Studies in Hamburg. The Government Restrictions Index measures government laws, policies and actions that restrict religious beliefs and practices. The raids took place in neighboring Somalia, where the government is fighting the Islamists. You also mentioned in your study that countries with a heterogeneous population and religious communities are particularly susceptible to religious conflicts. Firstly, we need to be aware that there are both religious and non-religious causes that must be dealt with at the same time. For example, radical Muslim groups demand the introduction of Sharia law. The parties involved may differ on the question of what role religion should play in the state. What role has globalization and social media played in increasing religious conflicts? Among the believers of Christ, ther… First, policies need to address both the religious and non-religious causes. They have an interest in creating branches in other countries. In inter-religious conflicts, the conflict parties differ in their religious affiliation - for example, Christians and Muslims. when the Iranians, who made the revolution a success and subsequently assumed position of power and authority in the government administration, formulated the state policy of their liking. But of course, not all Muslims in these countries are radical Islamists. This book explains why conflicts in Africa are sometimes ethnic and sometimes religious, and why a conflict might change from ethnic to religious even as the opponents remain fixed. As religious armed conflicts in Africa and elsewhere stem from a mix of causes, responses must include a variety of measures. As a general rule, the process of conflict outbreak involves three … «Նոյյան Տապան»-ի հյուրն է գրող, հրապարակախոս, գործարար Կիրակոս Գույումճեանը. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. It also has to do with the fact that religious conflicts spill over from North Africa and the Middle East; either directly from Libya or Algeria or indirectly through the spread of more radical versions of Islam. In Nigeria the Boko Haram Islamists also frequently attack Muslims. This is a list of conflicts in Africa arranged by country, both on the continent and associated islands, including wars between African nations, civil wars, and wars involving non-African nations that took place within Africa. It also has to do with the fact that religious conflicts spill over from North Africa and the Middle East; either directly from Libya or Algeria or indirectly through the spread of more radical versions of Islam. All religions have their accepted dogma, or articles of belief, that followers must accept without question. Conflict Trends in Africa – M. G. Marshall (2005) Page 1 of 28 African Regional Trends in Warfare and Political Instability The modern state system in Sub-Saharan African1 (hereafter referred to simply as Africa) is relatively new; only Ethiopia, Liberia, and South Africa were recognized as independent states The counter-measures must be based on a careful analysis of the causes. It has two objectives: to analyse the role Christianity played in the TRC and to highlight certain consequences that may be instructive to future international conflict resolution processes. In other words, governments and states must offer their citizens better prospects. This is different from theological conflicts which are mostly about religious ideas. DW: In your study on the subject of religious conflicts in Africa, you claim eight out of ten active armed conflicts have a religious dimension. On the religious side, one can carry out de-radicalization measures, thus strengthening peaceful interpretations of faith. On the religious side, one can carry out de-radicalization measures, thus strengthening peaceful interpretations of faith. In this session, participants will engage with the German Ambassador to Tanzania, Ambassador Regine Hess, who presides over the long-standing and close relations between Germany and the nations of East Africa. This can overlap with ethnic identities, and it is clear that heterogeneous societies are more vulnerable to triggering conflicts along these lines. The government has been unable to destroy Boko Haram or end … How do you explain this phenomenon? Such conflicts can arise in majority Muslim societies, such as Mali, Somalia or Northern Nigeria. It is about good governance and security. Other Middle Eastern states are more likely to have an indirect influence. 4.3.2 Religious conflict during the 1980’s According to Falola, ‘religious violence became one of the most serious crises of the 1980’s and beyond.’75 Falola argues that the religious violence during the 1980’s in Nigeria was a result of internal economic and political decay.76 He further argues that religious tension was building up from the 1970’s as a result of the role that religion played in politics. Such conflicts can arise in majority Muslim societies, such as Mali, Somalia or Northern Nigeria. The interview was conducted by Gwendolin Hilse. Countries like Saudi Arabia or Qatar are spreading Wahhabism, or similar variants, which can indirectly create a radical ideology that leads to violence. Religion and Violence 1. Firstly, we need to be aware that there are both religious and non-religious causes that must be dealt with at the same time. The recent attacks are nothing new as religious (and ethnic) conflicts have haunted the country for several years, reaching a peak at the end of 2012. CONFLICTS AND CAUSES OF CONFLICTS IN AFRICA. However, religion is only one aspect of these conflicts - they can also be ethnic conflicts, or conflicts over power or resources. The Igbo massacre of 1966 in the North that followed the counter-coup of the same year had as a dual cause the Igbo officers' coup and pre-existing (sectarian) … A weak state allows these kinds of groups to be active in the first place – their radical ideology becomes more attractive to people if the state does not provide adequate public services and the politicians are corrupt. The parties involved may differ on the question of what role religion should play in the state. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); You have entered an incorrect email address! Conflict is thus as old as humanity. But we are also aware of examples of Christian rebel groups in sub-Saharan Africa who have theological demands. There is no conflict based purely on religion. Conflict can be defined as a clash or disagreement often violent between opposing groups or individuals. How do you explain this phenomenon? It is about spreading a radical version of Islam. Several measures will be required but the good news is that some of these are already in place. (20.03.2016), A militant group linked to the self-proclaimed "Islamic State" (IS) has taken control of a small port in the Horn of Africa. They have supported rebels in Mali and there are indications that they are also doing it in Nigeria and Somalia. DW: In your study on the subject of religious conflicts in Africa, you claim eight out of ten active armed conflicts have a religious dimension. The region is generally vulnerable to conflicts because many states in sub-Saharan Africa are often weak. Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin. Active radical groups have a more direct influence in North Africa, such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), or offshoots of the so-called Islamic State. Christianity was first introduced to the continent by the white man during colonisation. In a multi-ethnic and religiously diverse society like Nigeria, relationships between people may be characterized by lack of cordiality, mutual suspicion and fear as it is the case among the ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria. advance of religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa. Basically, one must distinguish between two types of religious conflicts. Legal notice | Somalia is one of the most unstable countries in Africa; it is also one of the most religiously homogenous countries on the continent. Nigeria has been pushed hither and thither by recurrent crises of regional or sta… Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. At the same time, scripture and dogma are often vague and open to interpretation. © 2020 Deutsche Welle | A study by a German academic says religious conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa have been on the rise for decades. Got an opinion about the stories making headlines? The region is generally vulnerable to conflicts because many states in sub-Saharan Africa are often weak. They have an interest in creating branches in other countries. Researcher Matthias Basedau says weak African states are a major cause. Although not necessarily so, there are some aspects of religion that make it susceptible to being a latent source of conflict. They have supported rebels in Mali and there are indications that they are also doing it in Nigeria and Somalia. | Mobile version. On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became an independent nation. ... Th is religious map of Africa is the result of the encounters, over centuries, between the indigenous religions of the continent with the Arabs and the Eu- But of course, not all Muslims in these countries are radical Islamists. This can lead to inflexibility and intolerance in the face of other beliefs. You also mentioned in your study that countries with a heterogeneous population and religious communities are particularly susceptible to religious conflicts. In inter-religious conflicts, the conflict parties differ in their religious affiliation – for example, Christians and Muslims. For decades, religious leaders serve as a means of conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding in East Africa. Countries like Saudi Arabia or Qatar are spreading Wahhabism, or similar variants, which can indirectly create a radical ideology that leads to violence. We will sample your texts in our show. Examine Figure 13-1 and you will see that several countries in Africa are in this situation, including Nigeria , Africa ’s most populous state. In the popular mind, to discuss religion in the context of international affairs automatically raises the specter of religious-based conflict. In other words, governments and states must offer their citizens better prospects. DW: In your study on the subject of religious conflicts in Africa, you claim eight out of ten active armed conflicts have a religious dimension. Between religion and conflict resolution in African countries Africa as a doctrine laced some! Often vague and open to interpretation and states must offer their citizens better.. 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