The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) in cooperation with Finn Church Aid and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers in Central Africa reached another milestone in re-establishing dialogue and understanding between the Muslim and Christian communities in the Central African Republic. Following consultation with local stakeholders, KAICIID has been asked to conduct interreligious dialogue training for Central African religious leaders in the next phase of its country programme ‘‘Reducing Interreligious Tensions in the Central African Republic’’. The programme aims to bring together religious leaders to facilitate peaceful coexistence as well as to promote dialogue and understanding between religious communities.

KAICIID’s programme in the Central African Republic is based on a strong foundation of local ownership and is being implemented under the guidance of religious leaders who are members of a follow-up committee, which was established through the groundbreaking meeting of Central African religious leaders at KAICIID headquarters in February 2016. The committee is made up of religious and community leaders that represent women, youth, the central mosque, the Central African Islamic community and the district mayor.

In addition, the local stakeholders laid out the next steps in the action plan, and specifically called on KAICIID to provide capacity-building and dialogue trainings for local religious leaders. These trainings will be conducted in selected regions that will be determined by the follow up committee.

The CAR country programme is implemented in close collaboration with Search for Common Ground (SFCG), an NGO promoting dialogue and peace in the Central African Republic. Together with SFCG, KAICIID is supporting the Bangui-based interreligious platform led by Monsignor Nzapalainga, the Archbishop of Bangui; Imam Oumar Kobine Layama, President of the Islamic Community; and Reverend Nicolas Guerekoyame-Gbangou, President of CAR's Evangelical Alliance. Under this partnership, KAICIID and SFCG are also working together to establish a Muslim radio station to promote peace in CAR.

The EU, UN, the American and French Embassies, as well as from the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Simplice Mathieu Sarandji and the Minister for National Reconciliation, Ms. Virginie Baikoua support KAICIID’s work in the Central African Republic. The Centre’s national expert Boris Modeste Yakoubou is based in Bangui, CAR, and facilitates the collaboration with the local stakeholders and oversees the implementation of the projects in the country.