The first national Peace Week in the Central African Republic was launched last Friday 18 September.  The festival of inclusivity focused on themes of peace and social cohesion, reconciliation and the application of the rule of law. 

The opening ceremony at the Bangui Conseil National de Transition (CNT) was attended by the interim president Catherine Samba-Panza, with activities running until 21 September. It has been coordinated by the Interfaith Peace Platform (Sergio Vieira de Mello award 2015 winner) and technical support provided by Conciliation Resources, London-based international peacebuilding NGO.

Peace Week is a rare opportunity to bring together a wide range of people from all over the country, including local authorities, traditional leaders, internally displaced persons and representatives of the Interfaith Peace Platform who live in the 15 prefectures outside the capital Bangui.

It provided a platform for Central Africans to reflect on ways to rebuild shattered relations and reconcile communities estranged by violence. There were cultural and sporting events in different Bangui arrondissements (neighbourhoods) to raise awareness about peacebuilding and reconciliation. These included theatre groups who perform reconciliation sketches.

Peace Week comes at a pivotal moment in CAR’s troubled history as the conflict-stricken country prepares itself for the presidential and parliamentary elections due in the new year following the 2013 Central African Republic coup.

I want to thank the Interfaith Platform enthusiastically for their invitation to open Peace Week: the importance of this event in this period of uncertainty is huge..... It is a wonderful initiative.

President Catherine Samba-Panza.

This, the first Peace Week in CAR. Each one of us has the responsibility to play our role [in peacebuilding] to be vigilant and to help develop our country… we need each one of our sons and daughters to contribute to peace.

Imam Kobine, Interfaith Peace Platform

Peace Week is a festival of inclusivity bringing people from all regions of CAR together to share some days of celebrating peace. It provides an opportunity for Central Africans to reflect on the past, the challenging times that they are in and how to rebuild relations that have been shattered by violence. It is encouraging to know that while the news is awash with violence many Central Africans are keen to rebuild relationships and reconcile with one another.

Kennedy Tumutegyereize, Conciliation Resources’ East and Central Africa Programme Director