Seychelles' Mancham Honoured with Africa Peace Award 2016
SIR James R. Mancham, KBE, founding President of the Republic of Seychelles, has announced his acceptance of the Africa Peace Award, with which the United Religions Initiative (URI) has decided to honour him.
In a letter to Sir James received on Friday January 29, 2016, H.E. Ambassador Mussie Hailu – Regional Director of URI for Africa and Representative of URI at the African Union Commission (AUC); IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority for Development); UNECA (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) and United Nations’ Office in Nairobi, Kenya, and Special Envoy of Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the AU on Interfaith, Interreligious and Intercultural Issues, states:
“…..We have been following with great interest the outstanding work you are doing in promoting a culture of peace, interfaith harmony, cultural values, human dignity, human rights, human security, art and literature, good governance, international solidarity, building the image of Africa and lobbying for the interest of Africa through your active engagement as former President at national, regional and international level and through your books and poetry. It is my pleasure to inform you officially that the United Religions Initiative (URI) Africa have decided to honour you with the Africa Peace Award in 2016…..”
The URI is an interfaith peace organisation with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and it is working to promote enduring daily interfaith cooperation to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, healing and justice for the Earth and all living beings.
Through its 175-member organisations from 31 African countries URI Africa is cultivating peaceful coexistence among different religions and cultures by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the environment.
The vision of URI Africa is to see a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa where there is no religious strife.
URI Africa has signed memoranda of understanding with the AU Commission and the IGAD.
URI Africa established the Africa Peace Award to recognise the committed and effective leadership exercised to bring sustainable peace, environmental protection, developments, democracy and good leadership on the African continent.
The Africa Peace Award celebrates, acknowledges and honours the accomplishments of individuals and organisations who have exhibited extraordinary leadership to build a culture of peace, environmental preservation, reconciliation and harmony among different religions and cultures and respect the universal declaration of the human rights and bring over positive change in people’s life.
Some of the recipients of the Africa Peace Award include the AU, Unesco, IGAD, Unep, H.E. Jonathan Goodluck, President of Nigeria, H.E. Girma Wolde-Giorgis – President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia; Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity, Rotary International.
In a statement issued from his office in Addis Ababa, H.E. Ambassador Mussie Hailu - pictured with Sir james (below) - said: “This award helps to create role models of peace builders throughout Africa. Since its establishment in 2007, URI Africa have been giving the award every year to either distinguished African leaders, individuals and organisations who are doing exemplary work. It is a non-monetary award which honours distinguished individuals and organisations who have exhibited exceptional leadership in bringing about peace, reconciliation, solidarity and the alleviation of poverty, preservation of the environment and promoting interfaith harmony and co-existence among different ethnics groups and cultures.”
He said he had personally followed Sir James’s involvement in several international forums and was always impressed with his passionate and determined commitment to peace and reconciliation.
“One of his most important and instructive traits is his ability to imagine and re-imagine peace and reconciliation issues in a way that could move the dialogue forward,” he declared.
Sir James who was awarded the Gusi Peace Prize for Statesmanship in 2011 in Manila, Philippines, has been active in the promotion of peace and reconciliation over the last 20 years in various parts of the world in association with various peace-orientated organisations such as the European Centre for Peace and Development (ECPD) in Belgrade, Serbia, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Berlin, Germany, the World Future Council (WFC) in Hamburg, Germany, the World Entrepreneurs Forum (WEF) in Lyon, France, and the Centrist Asia Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI) in Manila, Philippines.
With respect to Africa, Sir James was awarded the Millennium Trophy of the Washington-based Foundation for Democracy in Africa for the promotion of peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Africa, in Miami, Florida in the Millennium year 2000.
In 2010, he was unanimously elected to the Panel of the Wise and Elders of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) on whose behalf he represented the African Union (AU) as witness to the first Presidential Election in Cairo, Egypt, and in that capacity too, he led the COMESA Mediation Mission to Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Kigali (Rwanda). He participated in several interfaith conferences in Africa – Abuja, Nairobi – organised by the Global Peace Foundation. In January 2013 after speaking at the National Youth Summit at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, he was presented with a special trophy which described him as a true friend of Kenyan youth.
In a statement issued yesterday morning from his office in Mahé, Seychelles, Sir James said it is obvious that Africa is not asleep with respect to its desire for peace and stability, on the road to progress and prosperity.
However, he stated, it is clear that we must first build a culture of peace, reconciliation and harmony.
He said he was particularly exhilarated about the Award coming as it did in the wake of his decision to create and promote a Centre for Peace Studies and Reconciliation in Seychelles. In this respect, he quoted Victor Hugo’s famous statement: “There is one thing stronger than all the armies of the world and that is – an idea whose time has come.”
OCEANUSLIve Note: We are very pleased to carry the announcemnt of the award given to Sir James Mancham. He has been a stalwart in seeking peace across, not only the African continent, but also the globe. We have had the great fortune to observe his work and engage with him for a number of years. His tireless efforts and extensive travel in doing so are a testament to his resolve, determination and all with great humility. This is yet another award to highlight the support he has shown in humanitarian development over many years.
Source: Seychelles Nation/VIOAS
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