wfn.org | Methodist Bishop Applauds Ouster of Junta in Sierra Leone

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

CONTACT: Linda Bloom			 (10-21-31-71B){89}
         New York (212) 870-3803	      Feb. 16, 1998

Sierra Leone bishop applauds
ouster of military junta

	NEW YORK (UMNS) -- United Methodist Bishop Joseph Humper of
Sierra Leone expressed happiness Feb. 16 over the ouster of the military
junta that had controlled his country since last May.
	A Nigerian-led regional peacekeeping force, known as Ecomog,
pushed the junta from the capital of Freetown on Feb. 13. Humper said he
had heard that peacekeeping forces also had taken Bo, Sierra Leone's
second largest city, and Kenema.
	"With this intervention . . . it is good news for all of us in
exile and those within the country," said the bishop, who was visiting
here. "Before this latest action, the situation was fairly bleak." The
bishop has been living in exile in the United States for several months.
	According to news reports, a Red Cross representative found
Freetown to be calm on Feb. 15 as citizens ventured outside after a week
of fighting. Church services were reported packed.
	Sierra Leone's first democratically elected president, Ahmad
Tejan Kabbah, had only served a year before being overthrown by the
junta, led by Lt. Col. Johnny Paul Koroma.  Besides leading to
widespread looting and violence, the coup drastically reduced food and
medical supplies.
	Humper came to the United States on Oct. 20 to attend a United
Methodist Council of Bishops meeting, but was warned by his people it
was not safe to return. Now he is anxious to do so as soon as the
situation stabilizes.
	The ouster of the junta also opens the door for international
food and medical relief supplies. If that aid continues, he said,
"within the next couple of months, people (exiles) will begin to return
to the country."
	The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone has more than 75,000
members.
#  #  #

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/