Vatican Radio: Abp. Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria: Religion not root cause of violence

Fifty have been killed in the latest wave of intercommunal violence between Christians and Muslims in Plateau State, Nigeria. Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, in an interview with Vatican Radio, offers some background, locating the source of the source of the bloodshed more in a battle for resources than of religion: it is a struggle between competing tribes that is primarily over who controls fertile farmland and who gets to wield political power. “It is very convenient for those in authority to say that the whole crisis is about religion. Christians, Muslims are fighting. Yes, I don’t deny that. There is tension in that regard. But then, the factors that are fueling that crisis are not certainly only religions. There are many deep-seated root causes that have to be dug out and probably solutions found. This is not done.” Hear the entire interview here.

Archbishop Kaigama made a similar point in a January 2010 interview with Aid to the Church in Need, saying:

“It is unfortunate when religion is being used to camouflage the real problems. Religion is a tool being used by politicians who have ulterior motives.

“They have not been able to resolve who are indigenous to the area and who are settlers. You need to find the best way to relate to these groups. Many are very restive. This needs to be addressed politically and socially.”