CONFLICT MITIGATION AS A MECHANISM OF PROMOTING RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE FOR PEACEFUL SOCIAL COHESION IN AFRICA

Conflict arises naturally in all kinds of social settings. It is a natural normal part of life and when understood, it can become an opportunity to learn and develop. Africa faces multiple socio-economic, political and religious problems created by culture, secularism, post colonialism and human greed. There are also domestic sources of conflict such as ideology, personality, internal power struggles, and mistreatment of some classes of people such as the minorities. Every conflict possesses its own historical character. For example, when internal factors interact with external factors, the interaction is likely to cause conflict because of interest in different values and goals. In addition, the past has a significant bearing on the present. That is why, today, after thousands of years of human history, we continue to witness nations and communities waging devastating wars over conflicting ideologies, territorial pride, and perceived national interests; we continue to see communities torn apart over religious and ethnic differences. Religious intolerance is experienced in Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Middle East, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc. People need to understand the main mechanisms by which conflict between individuals, groups and nations is normally controlled without violence. Religion plays a significant role in helping communities resolve differences, in advancing international human rights, in overcoming great injustices and in encouraging non-violent management of conflict. There are well-known faith based peacemaking personalities such as Martin Luther Junior King, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Bishop Korir, Mahatma Ghandi, Dalai Lama, Father Kaiser, Reverend Njoya, Bishop Muge, and The Catholic Clergy and so on.