On 7 February The Daily Nation, a widely read Kenyan newspaper, reported on the upcoming screening of An African Answer in the Burnt Forest area of Kenya. The article also reported that in January President Kibaki was in Eldoret Town on the invitation of Rift Valley leaders for a reconciliation rally. He praised the leaders for resolving to work together to promote peace and reconciliation in the region.

Towards the end of last year, Joseph Karanja, a volunteer with Initiatives of Change, was asked by the Kenyan Government to join a helicopter mission to northern Kenya, specifically to show the documentary film An African Answer. 500 people affected by cattle-rustling conflicts watched the film. Last week, the film’s director Alan Channer was invited to help develop a strategy for use of the film by the different communities of Baringo County and the remote area of East Pokot.

Renowned Nigerian peacemakers Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye visited Malaysia, 22-26 November, as guests of Initiatives of Change in partnership with other local organizations. During their visit they met the Malaysian Prime Minister and other politicians, as well as having discussions with religious leaders and interfaith organizations. Their visit attracted considerable media coverage.

Urging his ‘brothers and sisters’ in the African Diaspora around the world to serve their continent, Imam Muhammad Ashafa from Kaduna in northern Nigeria, made a thoughtful and impassioned plea for them to help create ‘a hate-free, greed-free’ continent. Their acquired knowledge and skills were essential for the future of Africa, he said.