SamuelCyuma, Picking Up the Pieces: The Church and Conflict Resolution in South Africa and Rwanda. Oxford: Regnum Books International, 2012. 373 pp.

Abstract

Samuel Cyuma, Picking Up Pieces: The Church and Conflict Resolution in South Africa and Rwanda. Oxford: Regnum Books International, 2012. 373 pp. This book is based on a PhD dissertation submitted at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. Its inquiry focuses on two events world confronted in Africa. First was end of apartheid in South Africa. Who would have thought that such a change would be possible? But this small miracle, as author calls it, happened due to responsible political and church leaders and as a result of unique processes organized through Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) under leadership of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The second unbelievable experience from Africa was of a cruel, inhuman and shocking nature--the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, during which ten percent of country's population died. This event created a wave of horror around world. There, political and church leaders had been unable to prevent this crime against humanity. The author stresses role played by churches in two contexts and proposes possible ways in which churches can contribute more positively to Rwandan society. In particular, book investigates possibility of applying TRC pattern in an attempt to settle aftermath of genocide in Rwanda. The above scenario suggests two research problems and three related questions. The first part of problem relates to past - what happened--and second concerns future--what could best be done. In line with identified problematic areas following three questions are posed: 1) When and why did conflicts arise in Rwanda? 2) How and why did South Africa succeed in overcoming its longstanding apartheid conflict? and 3) What has been role played by churches in relation to either cause or reconciliation in Rwanda and South Africa? The book addresses these research issues and questions in four parts subdivided into ten chapters: Part One presents theoretical framework and defines some basic concepts in field of conflict studies, social sciences and theology. Among its four chapters, Chapter 4 focuses on Christian concept of reconciliation and forgiveness and role played by churches. This chapter is required reading for anybody interested in biblical, ecclesiological, and socio-ethical aspects of reconciliation. Part Two of book deals specifically with South Africa, focusing on way in which it was possible to overcome apartheid and on role played by political and church leaders in this process, especially with regard to TRC. Part Three deals with Rwanda and 1994 genocide. It has two chapters and I strongly recommend both of them. This book is written by a Rwandan and his insight into 1994 genocide is most telling, revealing and effective. Part Four seeks to draw out lessons of South African experience, particularly regarding TRC, and to apply them to Rwanda. It has two chapters, of which Chapter 9 is most worthy of attention. The author asks in humble boldness: Is TRC a distinctive paradigm for Africa in particular and in general for whole world? Chapters 8 and 9 discuss question of transferability of TRC of South Africa to situation in Rwanda. First, role played and contributions made by churches before genocide are highlighted. The book states and substantiates (pp. 204-206) that by mid-1994 there was no adequate reaction or clear stand from the Vatican, Anglican Communion and Missionary Societies on tragic issue of genocide in Rwanda. …