A religião como ferramenta para a construção de paz: um estudo da atuação da comunidade Sant'Egídio no processo de paz moçambicano (1988-1994)

Abstract

The main objective of this dissertation is to analyze the role of the Sant'Egidio Community in the peace process that led to the end of the Mozambican civil war. For that, the Peace Process in Mozambique between the 1960's and 1990's will be studied, which encompasses the period before the civil war, the period of the Sant'Egidio Community's performance in the Mozambican peace process, and the implementation of the peace agreement. It is intended to evaluate the function of religion within Peace Studies, looking at this category not only as a cause of violence, but as a possible tool for conflict transformation. The paper will be structured in four main sections. In the first topic, the path of religion in Peace Studies and the Social Sciences will be presented, the relationship between Peace Studies and liberal-positivist thought, as well as the approaches to peace, violence, conflict and religion used in this production. Then, in the second point, we will deal with the history of conflicts in Mozambique, going through the period of independence until the civil war. The third brings a historical description of the negotiations that led to the signing of the General Peace Agreement. Finally, the fourth section will deal with the role of the Sant'Egidio Community in the peace process, trying to understand its weight in the construction of a lasting peace in the region. The work will conclude with some remarks about what has been discussed in the previous topics.