Insecurity in Africa: Catholic bishops seek intervention 

Apparently worried by the unabated gale of security challenges threatening the corporate existence of African continent, the Catholic Bishops under the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), has appealed to foreign forces to join the fight against the menace and proffer urgent solution.

SECAM decried the alarming spate of kidnapping, sectarian war, banditry, herders-farmers’ clashes, terrorism and other unrests in the continent, saying partnering foreign forces will be of immense benefit in halting the orgy of killings of innocent souls.

This was part of the resolutions reached after its 19th Assembly Plenary of the  episcopal body held recently in Accra, Ghana, with the theme: “Ownership of SECAM: Security and Migration in Africa.”

The resolution made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital by the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, Thursday, lamented that several regions of Africa are experiencing unwarranted killings due to poverty and economic deprivation.

The bishops stated that poor handling of the economy and weaponisation of religion for political gains were also responsible for the violence rocking the African nations.

The clerics said: “Several regions of our continent are experiencing insecurity due to socio-political instability, violence, poverty, weak health structures, insurgency, terrorism,exploitation of religion for political purposes and lack of respect for environment and good governance.

“These situations are causes of anxiety for our people. This is why we are sending a message to all people of goodwill to help put an end to them.

“The social and political stakeholders as well as decision makers have a heavy responsibility in the management of our countries. We urge them to continue to do their utmost to fight insecurity for our people and Africa.

“We also urge foreign forces to get involved in fighting this insecurity and in building lasting peace and security on the African continent.”