African faith leaders warn climate change is endangering traditional communities

Representatives of major religious councils from East and Central Africa have issued a joint warning that climate change is having “an unprecedented impact” on traditional and faith-based communities across the continent. The statement followed a regional summit hosted in Nairobi on Saturday.

According to the participants, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and severe flooding are not only harming local economies but also disrupting long-established religious customs tied to land, seasons, and community rituals. Several leaders noted that sacred forests, pilgrimage routes, and burial grounds have already been damaged or destroyed.

“Our spiritual traditions are rooted in a close relationship with nature,” said Archbishop Daniel Mwangi of Kenya’s Interfaith Council. “When the environment collapses, communities lose not just livelihoods but also the cultural rhythms that shape their faith.”

Muslim scholars from Tanzania and Sudan emphasized that entire communities are being forced to relocate due to water scarcity, leading to the fragmentation of long-standing religious networks. “When families move in search of water, mosques, schools, and community structures are abandoned. This weakens social cohesion,” said Sheikh Ali Haroun.

Leaders of indigenous spiritual traditions expressed concerns that some ancestral sites may become permanently inaccessible. “These places are central to our identity,” said Dr. Mpho Mokwena, a representative of South Africa’s Council of Traditional Religions. “Losing them is like losing a part of our memory.”

At the summit, environmental experts presented data showing that climate-related displacement has tripled in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade. They warned that the trend will intensify without coordinated policy responses.

Christian and Muslim leaders jointly urged governments to prioritize environmental education in churches, mosques, and schools. “Faith institutions reach millions of people every week. We can help build a culture of responsibility and conservation,” Mwangi said.

The summit’s final declaration calls for greater international support, stressing that climate change is “not only an ecological issue but a humanitarian and spiritual challenge.” It also encourages religious communities to collaborate on reforestation projects, water management programs, and disaster-relief initiatives.

Participants expressed hope that their united appeal would prompt regional leaders to adopt more ambitious climate policies. As the statement concludes, “Protecting the environment means protecting the dignity, history, and faith of African communities.