african conflicts

Ghana-Born Priest Delves into Root Causes of African Conflicts

By Gretchen R. Crowe
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 6/28/07) african conflict

“Why is Africa so conflict-prone and what can be done about it?”
Often asked, but rarely adequately answered, these two questions formed the topical core of a session on conflict resolution presented by Ghana-native Father Clement Aabengnuo Monday evening at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington.
The small gathering in room 103 of the parish center was the first in a six-week series delving into the root causes of the continuous clashes in the world’s second-largest continent, illustrated from the point of view of the Clarendon priest, who, fittingly, is completing a graduate degree in conflict resolution at George Mason University in Fairfax.
When it comes to Africa, “all we hear about is sickness, poverty, conflict and corrupt governments,” Father Aabengnuo wrote in an introduction to the series. In 1996, 14 of 53 countries in Africa were afflicted by armed conflicts. “These conflicts have caught the attention of the international community because of the level of the civilian casualties and destruction of life and property.”
To combat this unrest, the root causes of the conflicts must be examined, the priest said. “We cannot continue to respond to these conflicts through relief services.” Instead Africans must be educated in peace. They must do research to understand the real reasons behind their fighting.
A quick examination of African history points to the slave trade (both outside and inside the continent) and Africa’s colonization as two factors contributing to the upheaval that has plagued the continent for countless years, Father Aabengnuo said.
Conflict in Africa often is perceived internationally as stemming from fighting over what Father Aabengnuo called “visible components” — politics, land and being named tribal chiefs. In reality, however, the “invisible components” — those that enable pure survival — are really at the heart of the problem.
Instead of African conflicts being the result of “irrational tribal barbarism” and “corrupt governments,” Father Aabengnuo said, “most of these conflicts are rational and justifiable, at least from the viewpoint of the perpetrators.”
The fight for survival often manifests itself in political terms, and “therefore people are ready to kill when it comes to elections,” Father Aabengnuo said.
During Africa’s fight for independence from colonial rule — mostly won by the mid-1960s — the African people legitimized violence, and things became worse.
“A number of the early African conflicts grew out of the power struggle that preceded and accompanied independence,” Father Aabengnuo said. A lot of ethnic groups were put together that should not have been put together and a lot of people were divided.
“The continent of Africa is a continent of Africas,” Father Aabengnuo said. “At the national level, every country is different.” The landmass sports not one, but three official languages. Ghana alone is divided into more than 52 ethnic groups, and Father Aabengnuo’s tribe spans three countries.
In the last five years, the five Catholic dioceses in Ghana have integrated conflict resolutions offices into their ministries, but there is much left to be done, including political education.
“The Church is doing a lot,” he said. “The Church could do better. (But) without the Church, Africa would have been worse off.”
Next Monday’s session will focus on the changing dynamics in Africa following independence. For more information go to www.stcharleschurch.org or call 703/527-5500.

Gretchen R. Crowe can be reached at gcrowe@catholicherald.com.