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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 (261
notes).

Note 260 by UMNS on Aug. 5, 1997 at 15:59 Eastern (4941 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                       448(10-21-31-71B){260}
          New York (212) 870-3803                     Aug. 5, 1997

Informal network focuses
on crisis in Sierra Leone

               by United Methodist News Service

     Concerned about continuing violence and human rights
violations in Sierra Leone following a May 25 military coup there,
a New York couple has established an informal network to draw
attention to the situation.
     Ron and Velma Mitchell -- former missionaries for the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries and members of First United
Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. -- are trying to mobilize
Sierra Leoneans in the United States and "friends" of that West
African nation "to show support for the democratic process back in
Sierra Leone," Mr. Mitchell said in an Aug. 4 interview.
     Through their Sierra Leone Emergency Network, the Mitchells
hope to keep the crisis there in the public eye, particularly
since there has been little news coverage in recent weeks. "After
the (U.S.) evacuation, the story basically died," Mr. Mitchell
explained.
     Mrs. Mitchell, who is a native of Sierra Leone, is fearful
that a lack of media coverage is "leaving many people with the
impression things have calmed down and been resolved." But, she
believes, "Sierra Leone is very quickly becoming the 'killing
fields' and I think I say so without exaggeration."
     Only a year before the coup, Sierra Leone had made a peaceful
transition from a military-controlled government to a democracy.
Then a group of soldiers, led by Major Johnny Paul Koromah,
overthrew the new civilian government and took control.
     Isha Dyfan Davies, an Anglican who is a lawyer, women's
rights activist and supporter of the pro-democracy movement, was
at her Freetown home on May 25 when the coup occurred. "We had all
sort of woken up to gunfire and artillery fire early in the
morning," she recalled.
     Over the next few days, there was "total mayhem" as buildings
and businesses in the capital were burned and looted, people were
shot at random and decomposing bodies were scattered about. "The
amount of soldiers and artillery I saw in the streets was fit for
a battleground," she said. "These men looked as if they were going
to war."
     Dyfan mobilized people, including herself, to speak out
against the coup leaders on the BBC. Then she joined the exodus of
Sierra Leone's professional class from the country -- about 3,000
people, in her estimation.
     Now living in New Jersey, "I have not stopped speaking out
and trying to explain to people what happened," she said.
     Many of Mrs. Mitchell's relatives also have fled the country,
leaving jobs, houses, cars and other possessions behind. One of
her mother's sisters, in her 80s, refused to leave Freetown.
"We're very concerned about her safety," she noted.
     Through direct telephone calls to Sierra Leone, internet
"chat rooms," various press sources and reports from people coming
out, the Mitchells said they have received a disturbing picture of
the current situation there.
     Violence is widespread, both random and targeted, the media
has been suppressed and arrests are made without due process. In
addition, the economy is in chaos and starvation has become a real
problem, particularly for those with little money.
     On Aug. 3, the Mitchells attended a U.S. memorial service for
Albert Sani Demby, a traditional chief in the Bo area of Sierra
Leone. The blind, 89-year-old man was shot and killed by soldiers
without provocation, along with a neighboring chief and at least
25 other villagers, according to an Associated Press report.
     Talks intended to discuss the return of civilian rule in
Sierra Leone broke down at the end of July. On Aug. 1, the
Panafrican News Agency reported that the Organization of African
Unity would support whatever "appropriate measures" were needed to
restore constitutional legality in Sierra Leone. The Economic
Community of West African States is expected to tighten its
sanctions against the coup-imposed government. 
     In addition to generating public awareness of the situation
in Sierra Leone, the Mitchells are in contact with various relief
organizations and are encouraging both emergency and long-term aid
to the people there.
     The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the
Society of St. Andrew both have responded to the food shortages.
UMCOR is working through an ecumenical coalition, Action for
Churches Together. Donations can be made to UMCOR Advance No.
982450-1, earmarked Sierra Leone.
     More information on the Sierra Leone Emergency Network is
available by calling (914) 668-2894 or by e-mail to
rg_mitchell@msn.com.
                              #  #  #

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