Results from a survey conducted by Never Again Rwanda on cooperation and togetherness among Great Lakes Region residents indicates that there’s mistrust among the people, with some of deep-seated have been etched there by the colonialists.
In a bid to enhance talks on the role of the Church in upholding peace through the elimination of stereotype ideologies in the region as well as answering questions raised during the research of Never Again Rwanda, 120 church representatives from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo have gathered in Rwanda to respond social issues affecting the Great Lakes Region.
Immaculée Mukankubito , the coordinator of Never Again Rwanda has revealed that churches and educators have to play their part to address mistrust issues.
“We have realized deep mistrust among great lakes residents where Congolese perceive Rwandans as killers while Rwandans perceive Congolese as cunning people. These perceptions result in mistrust even though there are few things rejoiced in common,” she said.
She has demonstrated that inviting church leaders was meant to enhance mass mobilization since churches reach a great number of people.
Buratangaje Japhet, a pastor in Methodist Church of Burundi has revealed that outcomes of Never Again Research inspired them to work towards improving efforts to motivate Christians sympathize with fellow Christians in neighboring countries.
“As Great Lakes Region population, we must be guided by brotherhood and spiritual sharing in everything. People have to forgive one another regardless of the past,” he said.
Mukamudenge Rachel, a Christian of Methodist church in Rwanda called on educators to revolutionarize the teaching and get learners to fully appreciate the environment in which they live.
Talking to IGIHE, Byamungu Lazaro, a pastor in Restoration Church in Rusizi district unveiled that clashes are likely to happen in the society; “however Christians should embark on the eradication of mistrust in their communities to enhance a peaceful society.”
He said that people must learn from history to avoid reoccurrence of sorrowful moments in the region like the 1994 Genocide perpetrated against Tutsi.
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