Musharraf announces his resignation

After months of increasing pressure, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his intention Monday to resign from office. "I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes," he said. The wildly unpopular Musharraf, who was facing impeachment proceedings, positioned himself as a U.S. ally but was widely criticized for his authoritarian policies and lack of success in battling militancy.

"Canada's native people get a formal apology" - A powerful example of forgiveness healing painful history:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-apology12-2008jun12,0,1305136.story

Elijah Harper, 49, a Cree leader from Manitoba, said the prime minister's speech allowed his people to embark on the road of reconciliation.

"From a spiritual point of view, what he has done is release the bonds that have held us from being able to forgive," Harper said....

Geraldine Maness-Robertson, 72, a Chippewa from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, said her six years at an Anglican school were a "horrific experience," and her hands were often whipped with a razor strap to break her spirit.

"When I left, I was so full of rage and anger and hatred," she said. "Today's apology was so helpful, it hit all the areas of hurt. I have spent my whole life reconciling, and I turned a page today."

Desmond Tutu cries for forgiveness on behalf of South Africans who have been persecuting foreigners in their country. The recent wave of violence against foreigners is due to the view among some South Africans living in poverty and unemployment that foreigners are taking jobs that should belong to them, thus causing their current state of economic misery. Tutu begs his fellow South Africans to stop their violence and to stop scapegoating foreigners, saying also that economic equality in South Africa must be pursued with renewed vigor:

http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/crime/i_am_deeply_deeply_sorry_tutu.html

Prayers for forgiveness and restoration in Nigeria:

http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=12/23/2007&qrTitle=Jonathan,%20others%20pray%20for%20Nigeria%20in%20Jerusalem&qrColumn=FRONT%20PAGE

Forgiveness in the Mission Statement for the POLITICAL VISION OF SOUTH SUDAN DEMOCRATIC FRONT: "2.3. To strive for the complete elimination of the divisiveness, tribalism, stereotyping, stigmatization, hatred and fear among the general public and to accelerate the process for reconciliation, unity of purpose and of equals, repentance and forgiveness, peace, cooperation and economic development." http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article23943

A sentiment that finds grounding in the concept of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission: "THERE can be no reconciliation, forgiveness and healing without the truth being exposed. Perpetrators must admit guilt or set the record straight and victims express their hurt and loss. Anything less is face value while the core is rotting away! Because these issues were not addressed, people smile with one face and hurt with another." http://www.namibian.com.na/2007/August/letters/07AC9723E2.html

Kim Phuc, child napalm victim from South Vietnam, now serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and speaks on the importance of forgiveness in the peace process:

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=4782&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html