wfn.org | Sierra Leone Update

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (222
notes).

Note 220 by UMNS on July 16, 1997 at 16:02 Eastern (2213 characters).

CONTACT:	Linda Bloom		408(10-31-71B){220}
		New York (212) 870-3803		July 16, 1997

Sierra Leone remains tense,
Methodists there report

			by United Methodist News Service

	Despite talk of a ceasefire, the crisis in the African country of Sierra
Leone continues, according to United Methodists there.
	The Rev. Joe Wagner, who spoke by telephone July 16 with United Methodist
Bishop Joseph P. Humper, reported that "things just continue to be very, very
tense." Wagner is coordinator of Operation Classroom, a program based in
Sierra Leone and Liberia that is supported by a number of United Methodist
annual (regional) conferences.
	Over the weekend of July 12, heavy fighting occurred at the town of Jui
between Nigerian troops and the rebels who launched a successful May 25
military coup in Freetown, the capital. 
	The Rev. John Yambasu, Sierra Leone Conference director of Christian
education and youth work, who lives 10 miles from Jui, estimated the
casualties could have been as high as 300, according to the Rev. Ray Buchanan.
Buchanan is co-director of the Society of St. Andrew, which has food projects
in Sierra Leone.
	Buchanan said Yambasu also told him that three uniformed gunmen stole a van
provided by Operation Classroom from the United Methodist compound in Kissy on
the evening of July 11. Although the van was recovered later, it had been
stripped and would need major repairs.
	Wagner reported that Saffa Koroma, who serves as Operation Classroom
coordinator and education secretary for the conference, has been sleeping at
different places each night because of possible death threats. "He's really in
fear for his own life," Wagner said.
	A shortage of food continues to be a problem. According to Buchanan, rice
remains available, but supplies are dwindling and prices have almost tripled.
	Both the Society of St. Andrew and Operation Classroom have wired money to
Sierra Leone to allow church staff to purchase food.
	The Society of St. Andrew -- which has launched a special appeal for Sierra
Leone and other countries in West Africa -- also is prepared to ship relief
supplies into Sierra Leone as soon as that is possible, Buchanan said.
	#  #  # 

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