wfn.org | Zaire Conflict Continues

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3514 notes).

Note 3511 by UMNS on March 25, 1997 at 15:52 Eastern (2398 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Bloom                             157(10-71B){3511}
          New York (212) 870-2171                   March 25, 1997

Lubumbashi remains target
for Zairian rebel forces

                 by United Methodist News Service

     Lubumbashi, Zaire's second largest city and episcopal
headquarters for the United Methodist Church's Southern Zaire
Area, remained in danger of armed conflict as of March 25.
     The forces of rebel leader Laurent Kabila are expected to
move southwest to that city and then west toward Kinshasa, Zaire's
capital.
     The Rev. John McCullough, who leads the mission personnel
unit for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, noted
that Kabila "is seen in a Zairian context as a liberator. His
arrival in most communities is anticipated and celebrated."
     But the Lubumbashi region is rich in mineral resources, he
said. Because of that, the government forces of Zaire's longtime
president,`Mobutu Sese Seko, are expected "to try to hold on to
this area," McCullough said, adding that some foreign governments
also could take action to protect their investments.
     All United Methodist mission personnel have been withdrawn
from Zaire. The three episcopal leaders also have left the country
temporarily. Bishop Onema Fama, Central Zaire Area, is attending
meetings in the United States; Bishop Nkulu Ntamda Ntambo, North
Shaba Area, is in Tanzania, a part of his area, and Bishop Kainda
Katembo, Southern Zaire Area, is in Zambia, also a part of his
area.  
     "The work of the United Methodist Church in Zaire remains
strong in spite of the conflict," McCullough said.
     Although he acknowledged it was hard to predict when
Lubumbashi would be secure "one way or another," he expected it
would be a minimum of three weeks before the missionaries could
return.
     The United Methodist Church in Zaire had 730,000 enrolled
members as of the early 1990s and has continued to grow. The
church operates schools, theological seminaries, literacy
programs, technical training centers, hospitals, clinics and
agricultural extension programs. It also offers outreach to
congregations in Tanzania and Zambia.
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