Pope Francis ended his three-nation African tour last week leaving a strong message for the continent that peace is not negotiable in the continent’s attempt to achieve the last economic frontier status.
From Kenya, to Central African Republic to Uganda, Pope Francis preached the same message. In a summary as captured by News VA, official Vatican Network Pope said “Dear brothers and sisters: My recent Apostolic Journey to Africa brought me to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic with a message of hope in the Risen Jesus. In Kenya, a country blessed with great human and natural resources, I spoke of the worldwide challenge of protecting the environment and creating equitable, inclusive and sustainable models of development, and the need to form our young in the ways of peace and fraternity. In Uganda, the land of the Martyrs, I encouraged the Christian community to persevere in its witness of faith and charity, and thus to be a leaven of hope for society as a whole. In the Central African Republic, a country experiencing internal conflicts and great suffering, I opened the first Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy as a sign of hope and strength for its people and for all our brothers and sisters in Africa”
The Papal visit to Africa could not have come a better time than now when the continent has become the last economic frontier of the world. This characterization, in spite of the enormous potentials within the continent that are expected to transform Africa and also expand the economies of the world would be elusive if the continent continues to be besieged by corruption, strife, hatred, terrorism and insecurity.
“Together we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, especially violence perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself,” the pope according to reports said in Bangui, the capital of CAR.
Africa’s economy has been growing registering about 5 per cent growth last year more than other regions and according to experts, Foreign direct investment (FDI) to Africa has reached the highest level in a decade and is set to attain an estimated USD$80b by 2014/2015.
Perhaps the continent could have achieved more economic trajectory, be able to industrialise and diversify if there was relative peace. This underscores the Papal visit. Today, major economies of Africa are threatened by one form of man inflicted wickedness such as insecurity, kidnapping and terrorism. This is what Pope sees and detests when he preached peace as propeller of economic development.
In CAR, the Pope told Christians and Muslims that they are brothers and sisters “Those who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace”
In Kenya, he Pope addressed an audience of young people in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, urging them to unite and take a stand against the destructive effects of tribalism. The Pope may not have travelled round Africa, but his message situates well in the 54 African countries that peace is not negotiable to African rising.
He described war as a “business of weapons,” which destroys humanity. War does not come from God, who is a God of peace, the Pope was reported as saying in a press conference after the November 25-30 journey which took him to intense areas of conflict.
Assessing the Pope visit and African branding, Emeka Maduegbuna of C and F Porter Novelli Nigeria said though the Pope did not talk economies directly, but his message about justice and social development without which no nation can grow the economy were encapsulated in his message.
“His coming to Africa is recognition that Africa has a major role to play in moving the world forward. Though Africa may have large number of Catholics and he may want to touch base with his people but the continent has a big role to play for the international economy”
Supporting Pope message, Ekine Akonte, a PR practitioner based in Lagos said Africa is recognized as the last economic frontier but achieving that status would only happen if there is peace in the continent.
“I want to thank him because he has preached peace,” said Nasra Yamashia, a mother of five who lives in the St. Joseph Mukasa refugee camp outside Bangui as reported in a USA Today.
An analyst hopes the Pope message is embraced by African countries towards economic transformation and achievement of the last economic frontier status. Peace as preached by Pople would assist remove the negatives about Africa and create a strong and appreciative brand for the continent.
Daniel Obi
