An African Answer

“You fight,” explained pastor James Wuye, “Because you do not know how to talk.” In this scene of the film An African Answer, the pastor and his cohort, imam Muhammad Ashafa, were in the final stages of implementing their peacemaking model in a community in Africa that was severely crippled by ethnic conflict. An audience composed of students, faculty, and community members had the opportunity to view the brand new film in its entirety and engage in a question and answer session with the two peacekeepers. Interestingly enough, the two men were both part of opposing militias in Nigeria; Ashafa wanted to kill Christians, while Wuye wanted to kill Muslims. Each man eventually realized that he did not desire a lifestyle driven by hatred, and so, they banded together with a mentality of empowerment and peace. The pair first brought their model to Nigeria, and, because of its success, expanded their efforts throughout Africa.

In 2007, the results of the general election in Kenya were highly disrupted. The violence that erupted as a result of these tensions made headlines around the world, and communities across the country teetered on the edge of genocide. Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was invited to Kenya to mediate the disputes, and he was able to arrange a political compromise that salvaged stability at an administrative level. However, the country was still in dire need of peace at the grassroots level. The clashing of ethnic groups caused thousands of civilians to flee their neighborhoods, hoping to escape the conflicts.

The pastor and the imam were invited to Kenya to share their model of peacekeeping. This model had previous success in Africa, most notably in Nigeria. The pair set their sights on a community called Burnt Forest, which was seen as the epicenter of the ethnic conflict. The approach generated by the two peacekeepers focused on facilitating dialogue between the two clashing ethnic groups, the Kikuyu and the Kalinsins. They gathered community members and leaders who were interested in participating in their three-day workshop. The workshop was part of a peacemaking model with specific methodology - a lasting solution for peace must be generated by the community itself.

The first day of activities began with exactly this goal in mind. The pastor and the imam shared their personal stories, and then asked multiple participants to do the same. The team then split the participants along ethnic lines, asking each side to list their dislikes about the other. Of course, tension was very high in the room, but the discussion then progressed carefully; members from the opposing group were able to respond to the grievances of the other. Participants were then asked to list what each group could respect about the other. The imam and the pastor then facilitated a round table discussion between community leaders to further discuss the topics addressed during the day. Again, each side was able to respond to the ideas of the other. Community members left the workshop eagerly awaiting the next day’s events.

Day two’s activities were just as interactive and focused. Individuals wrote down the hurts, pains, and wrongs that the opposing group imposed on them. These papers were then burned and offered to God. Members walked to this sacrificial ceremony hand in hand, in Kikuyu-Kalinsin pairs. At the ceremony, the pastor and imam spoke of past pains being offered, gone, and forgotten; the team emphasized that God is the only one who is able to truly reconcile a community. Participants then signed up for action committees to implement the ideas and solutions that were generated between the groups.

On the final day, the imam and the pastor traveled to the homes of community leaders and members of peace committees, to further their dialogue and show respect toward the host community. All participants then gathered to take their message of peace into Burnt Forest. The group marched through the village, asserting the message that they wanted peace. The march ended at the new peace office in town. The entire event came to an end after ritual song, dance and prayer—used as tools to solidify a commitment to reconciliation.

During the question and answer session of the presentation to American University, the imam and the pastor enthusiastically reported on the situation in Burnt Forest today. The main market, once segregated along ethnic lines, is now assimilated and functioning as one whole. The situation is entirely peaceful, and those who fled their homes have moved back. In fact, the community of Burnt Forest is spearheading the peace process for the whole country of Kenya; its residents vow that a repeat of violence and ethnic clashes will not occur.

The duo also answered questions about their methodology and their profession. Imam Ashafa asserted that peacemakers must be, above all, sensitive to culture. He told the audience, “You must use the lenses of the people to get to their hearts.” Pastor Wuye also spoke of a need for creativity within the peacemaking profession. The pair also emphasized flexibility in addressing and developing models for peace. They told those interested in peacemaking to never forget the “intra” level—using advocacy to empower communities to be the change they wish to see. “Empathize,” elaborated the imam, “do not sympathize. Because when you sympathize you take a side. When you empathize, you feel the reaction of the people.”

Overall, the film and discussion were extremely interesting because both elements introduced the audience to a successful methodology that has facilitated great success: get them talking. The most attractive aspect of the film, the speakers and the presentation as a whole was an air of humility: imam Ashafa and pastor never enter a community thinking they are above or better than its members; they are equipped with experiences that allow them to relate to a sense of hatred and frustration, as well as a willingness to help others overcome their own obstacles to peace.