National Prayer Conference 2018, Gulu

The Concept Note:

The history of the African slave trade is a difficult one to revisit. The East African and Trans-Saharan slave trade goes back 2,000 years while that of the West African/Transatlantic Slave Trade lasted about 400 years.

During this period millions of Africans were torn away from their homes, families and motherland and transported to foreign lands. Most died along the perilous journeys through land and water.

African nations like Mauritania still have 10-20% of the population living as slaves. Recent images from Libya showing African youths being held in conditions reminiscent of the African Slave Trade shocked the world.

Further, thousands of Ugandan youth are flocking the Middle East for employment. Several accounts coming from the region indicate that many end up working in slavish conditions and even being sold in modern day slave markets. A recent report indicated that 50 Ugandan youths had committed suicide in the Middle East. It is almost unheard of for youths in Uganda to commit suicide despite the difficult impoverished conditions many live in. What sort of conditions would lead our youth to take their own lives in these foreign lands? They must be very dire.

The slave trade left and continues to leave tremendous bloodguilt on the African continent with huge spiritual, economic and political consequences. The slavery symbols of gates, iron bars and chains speak volumes of what has continued to ravage the African continent and peoples in many different ways.

On the heels of the slave trade was the scramble for Africa and its eventual colonization by Europe. During this time, some of the most diabolical act of thievery and looting took place. Even after the de-colonization of Africa, new forms of colonialism that centre on the economic subjugation of Africans continue unabated.

Despite gaining political independence, most African nations are still economic slaves to the rest of the world, with Africa only accounting for about 2% of world trade as African elites continue to loot the continent in cohort with the same foreign powers that superintended over the slave trade.

Africans often lay the responsibility of this evil trade on the shoulders of the Arabs and Europeans, which is partly justified since they played pivotal roles. However, our African ancestors in particular our kings and chiefs played more pivotal roles; this trade could not have happened without their connivance. Indeed many prospered through it.

The bible has much to say about the repercussions of kidnapping, mistreating and selling a fellow brother. Through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, past and present evils can be remitted at the cross and a new day opened for individuals, families and nations.

The National Prayer Conference 2018 will focus on the legacy of the African slave trade and remitting its sins. Join us in Gulu this August as we explore and find grace to bring this matter before the heavenly courts.

 

 

Register here for the Conference

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