The Interfaith Peace Platform of the Central African Republic (CAR) and the KAICIID International Dialogue Centre updated the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ignacio Ybañez, on their peacebuilding efforts in CAR during a meeting in Madrid on 28 October.

The Platform is an interreligious initiative designed to end hostilities and promote understanding between the different religious communities in the Central African Republic. It is led by Dieudonne Nzapalainga, the Archbishop of Bangui, Imam Oumar Kobine Layama, president of the country’s Islamic Council and Rev. Nicolas Guerekoyamene-Gbangou, president of the Evangelical Alliance.

The meeting, which took place on the margins of the Club de Madrid’s conference on countering violent extremism, gave the Platform an opportunity to brief the Secretary of State on the current status of its initiative amidst the fresh outbreak of violence in the country.

KAICIID’s Deputy Secretary General for External Relations, Alvaro Albacete, said the Centre has been working closely with the Platform and saw the meeting as an opportunity to formally introduce its work to the Spanish Government, which is a member of KAICIID’s Council of Parties (CoP).

“Spain is a great supporter of interreligious dialogue and the role religious leaders can play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. This is an aspect of peacebuilding that is often overlooked by governments and international organizations,” he said.

Prior to the meeting, Spain made a presidential statement in the United Nations Security Council on the situation in the Central African Republic, which included a paragraph commending the “joint action” of religious leaders in pursuing peace.

The DSG said that Spain’s support for the work of religious leaders in CAR, including the Platform, is very greatly appreciated.

“We are very pleased that there is a member of the Security Council that understands the importance and the value of interreligious dialogue in addressing conflicts like that taking place in the Central African Republic,” the DSG said.

“The Peace Platform is an initiative that is needed now more than ever. As part of our efforts to support its work, KAICIID will continue to keep Spain, and our other CoP members, updated on the latest developments in CAR and will help coordinate any future communication with and support for the Platform,” he added.

In mid-October, KAICIID – together with partners from the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers – issued a multi-religious statement calling for an immediate stop to the violence in the country.