Faith at Frontlines of Preventing and Resolving Conflicts: Christianity and Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa

In Africa, religion is a powerful touchstone in restoring peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion. Among the major religions, Christianity and Islam are becoming centers of conflict resolution and sources of exaggerated violence. This paper aims to investigate the role of religion in sub-Saharan Africa as a method for conflict resolution while shedding light on the difficulties religious actors encounter in modern conflict prevention. On one hand, religious beliefs and institutions offer significant opportunities for conflict resolution by promoting shared values of truth, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They often serve as mediators, leveraging their moral authority to facilitate dialogue and understanding among conflicting parties. Their teachings and sacred materials can inspire forgiveness, helping heal divisions and foster long-term peace. On the other hand, their peaceful involvement in current events is “less visible but equally important” because of persistent capacity gaps in modern conflict prevention mechanisms and strategies. Besides this, they are not fully and officially supported by existing institutions in the area, which makes their efforts fragmented and self-motivated. Another common challenge is that most conflict prevention initiatives need more resources for long-term and sustainable engagements. This study utilizes a methodology that draws on various documents and case studies in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings underscore the importance of interfaith collaboration, promoting religious peacebuilding at the center, and supporting religious peacebuilders who voice their desire to mitigate conflict and promote enduring peace.