Christian Leaders in Zimbabwe Appeal to the International Community to Intervene in Escalating Global Wars

The Christian leaders condemned factors fueling unrest in different countries from the seven continents, such as glaring inequalities, pervasive corruption, and the deadly weapons trade which  they said contribute to “this elusiveness, breeding conflict and despair.”

Reflecting on this year’s theme on International Day of Peace, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” members of ZHOCD drew inspiration from the Late Pope Francis’ message on the World Day of Peace, saying, “The Pope reflected on “Forgive us our trespasses: Grant us your Peace."

They said that the Pope also described peace as “God’s gift to us,” affirming “Peace is not just the absence of conflict, love, and compassion, but God's gift to humanity. Gifts that we should graciously receive and generously share with others.”

The Christian leaders expressed concerns over the intensification of unrest in the world, noting that wars, armed conflicts, and civil violence have increased, affecting both third-world countries and developed nations.

They said that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, the Middle East, Myanmar, Sudan, Ethiopia, Israel, and the Palestinian territories contribute to the rising tensions and humanitarian crises across the world.

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The leaders noted a decline in “global peacefulness since 2014”, a situation they said is mostly affecting children.

In 2023, the United Nations verified nearly 33,000 grave violations against more than 22,500 children in 26 conflict zones, the highest on record, with over 5,300 killed and 6,300 injured, marking a 35 percent rise from previous years.

The Christian leaders in Zimbabwe reviewed the statistics of the humanitarian crisis on children due to conflicts in both Africa and beyond, saying that the “situation demands urgent attention.”

“We call for the international community to prioritize civilian protection and take concrete actions to prevent and respond to these mass atrocities,” they said, and added, “We also urge the United Nations Security Council to consider the Ezulwini Consensus, granting Africa a stronger voice in global governance.

They further highlighted some of the effects of increased industrial developments in the world, saying, “The world is experiencing massive environmental degradation, causing untold suffering to humanity and the environment at large. These include floods, droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, landslides, and tsunamis.”  

“Let us work together to build a more peaceful and just world,” they said.

The members of ZHOCD expressed hope in the future of the world, saying, “As we celebrate the International Day of Peace, we pray that God will guide us on our journey towards peace and prosperity.”

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.