Africa: faith-based network discusses gun control

To foster dialogue about arms control and to involve churches and faith-based organizations in this effort are two of the main goals of the Gutemberg Process, an ecumenical initiative begun in 2001, in Gutemberg, Sweden, on the heels of the fast growing international trade in firearms and the restructuring of the European defense industry.

Held October 8 to 10 in Nairobi, Kenya, the Gutemberg Process focused its third meeting on discussing arms control and the enforcement of the Arms Trade Treaty, ATT, in the African continent. For three days members of various faith-based organizations joined forces to discuss the issue at depth and to design an effective approach to the role of each institution in face of the international trade in firearms. 

“If armament were food, Africa would not starve”

With these words of Arthur Shoo,  of Kenya's All African Conference of Churches, opened the event. The third ecumenical conference on gun trade began with a general overview of the state of small arms in Africa, followed by strategy development workshops for churches and faith based entities addressing gun control.

Augusta Muchai, (photo) from the Institute of Security Studies, ISS, based out of Nairobi opened the panel on human security in Africa by exposing the violent conflicts in the nation. Focusing on the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa, she explained how intra-state conflicts fanned by community differences such as economic disparities and the ready availability of guns at low cost develop into full-blown inter-state conflicts, threatening the stability of the region.

In Muchai’s view the proliferation of small arms and light weapons has meant that an important trend since the 1990's, although there are less numerous conflicts they have much more devastating effects. Muchai also pointed out that Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration programs known as DDR can lead to instability if they are not appropriately planned and monitored. She called for the declaration of the Great Lakes and Horn of Afirca area as a “reconstruction zone” as a way to foster research, capacity building and comprehensive regional approaches.

Regional responses

Francis Wairagu, from the Regional Center for Small Arms, Recsa, stressed the need to approach the illegal trade in firearms, since the majority of these easily migrate to the illegal trade when they fall into the wrong hands. Recsa is a strong supporter of gun marking and the creation of regional and international treaties topave the way for dialogue and cooperation, so as to transform commitments into action. Waigaru pointed out the need for greater transparency in the domestic security sector, political stability in the region, and garanteeing that the Arms Trade Treaty is operative.

Peter Wezeman from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Sipri, presented an overview of the arms trade in the region. It is estimated that the gun trade in Africa is responsible for from 39  to 56 billion US dollars according to preliminary results relative to 2005. The data comes from ongoing research, and it accounts for .4 to .5% of the global arms trade. Wezeman pointed out further that the percentage may seem small but it reflects a growing trend and that gun sales data provided by governments are not always provided in a clear manner.

Weapons into ploughshares

It is however true that life springs from the most inhospitable places. And that is also true of Africa. A member of the Christian Council of Mozambique, Dinis Matsolo (photo) presented one of the most innovating experiences in disarmament, which, in his view, can be easily replicated if adapted carefully to local settings.

Under the motto “Weapons into ploughshares,” Mozambique was able to collect over 600 thousand weapons, among them guns, ammunition, grenades and land mines – as of 1995- by exchanging them for work tools, food, and community benefits. The principle behind this successful initiative is that instead of offering money for guns, it offers the tools for survival and for taking up a new way of life, providing dignity for human life and allowing for a change in attitudes and the behavior. 

Dinis pointed out the fundamental role of churches and faith-based organizations by engaging communities in peace building through an ecumenical approach that includes civic education to empower communities and foster a participatory process.

Jonathan Frerich, from the World Council of Churches called for critical and ethical reflection, and posed the following question: When are guns necessary? His answer, from a theological perspective and based on Christ's life affirming teaching, is, never. For Frerichs, peace may only be reached by reducing injustice, citing inter-religous actions that led to the creation of gun-free zones in South Africa and Mozambique as examples of the power of faith.

Towards and ATT in Africa

The second day of the meeting focused on the role of churches in the application of the Arms Trade Treaty in the African continent. Carla Morales, from Costa Rica's Arias Foundation explained the principles proposed by the ATT, among which are the responsibility of the states, limitations based on use, transparency, comprehensive control. Morales further noted that although the principles are minimal, they are based on high standards, that complied with, will take international law to a new level.

Joseph Dube, from the International Action Network on Small Arms, IANSA stressed the role of churches that must lobby and pressure for implementation of the treaty since often governments ratify agreements but fail to comply with them.

Ethical response to a global challenge

During the conference workshops participants discussed the various forms of advocacy carried out by churches and faith-based entities. Participants stressed the importance of promoting gun control and the ATT, while noting the power these entities have to mobilize and for spreading a culture of peace.

“Churches ought to lead the way and provide a moral direction and guidence, they can be the critical actor that can influence from the common people to the authorities,”said Dube.

Cesar Villanueva, (photo) from the Philippines' Pax Christi used the metaphor of the rice cake  for ATT advocacy: “In Asia we say that to cook rice cakes well it is important to use a cooker in which vapor comes out equally from the top and from the bottom. That is to say, that pressure is exerted from below, from the grass roots, and also from the highest government spheres.”

That was the spirit with which the participant organizations drew their plans of action,  plans that certainly echoe the words of Bishop William Kenney, president of the Gothenburg Process International: “We must be humble, but that does not mean we must be silent.”

The Gothenburg Process is led by the Sweden's Christian Council of Churches, the Swedish Mission Council, the Institute for Life and Peace, and the Swedish Fellowship for Reconciliation, Swefor.

From Comunidad Segura:

Towards a Global Arms Trade Treaty

¿Donde están las armas de Mozambique? (In Spanish and Portuguese)

Read Further:

The Gothenburg Process Website