In a historic and defining moment, Amb. Dr. Yusuf Noah has taken centre stage at the launch of the Pan-African Inter-Faith Leadership Initiative (PAFLI) in Kigali, Rwanda, where he officially pronounced the Kigali Declaration on Inter-Faith Diplomacy as chief guest.
The event brought together diplomats, government officials, religious leaders and business representatives from across Africa and beyond to discuss inter-faith cooperation and the role of religious leadership in promoting peace and unity across the continent.
The launch drew participants from countries including Mauritania, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, the Netherlands and Spain, according to the organisers.
Addressing the gathering, Noah said Africa needed to take greater responsibility for its peace and stability through cooperation across religious and national boundaries.
“We gather today not just to launch an organization. We gather to launch a philosophy – that Africa’s peace cannot be outsourced. Inter-Faith Diplomacy is Pan-Africanism in practice,” he said.
Yusuf Noah Pays Tribute to Paul Kagame
During his keynote address, Noah paid tribute to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, highlighting Rwanda’s journey of reconciliation and national rebuilding as an inspiration for the broader Pan-African inter-faith movement.
He noted that, as Bishop Gatabazi Alfred shared, Kagame’s leadership journey helped inspire the initiative's vision.
The launch also featured leaders representing Islam, Christianity, and other faiths signing a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement commits the participating leaders to work together under PAFLI following the announcement of the Kigali Declaration.
The signing was presented as a step towards strengthening cooperation among religious communities and encouraging a shared approach to peacebuilding and diplomacy.
PAFLI Seeks to Strengthen Inter-Faith Cooperation
The Pan-African Inter-Faith Leadership Initiative aims to bring religious leaders and other influential stakeholders together around common concerns affecting African societies.
Its launch in Kigali placed inter-faith diplomacy at the centre of discussions about Africa’s peace, unity and development, with participants drawn from different countries and professional backgrounds.
Noah’s address emphasised that the continent’s religious diversity could serve as a foundation for collaboration rather than division.
The event concluded with a dinner accompanied by Rwandan traditional music, celebrating the launch and the participating delegations.
The organisers presented the Kigali Declaration as a call for African leaders and faith communities to work collectively towards a more peaceful and cooperative continent.
As PAFLI begins its work, its stated ambition is to encourage stronger partnerships across religious communities and demonstrate how interfaith engagement can contribute to Africa’s wider diplomatic efforts.
