wfn.org | Inter-Religious Council working for peace in Sierra Leone

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 21, 1999	News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.    10-31-71B{284}

By United Methodist News Service

A remarkably diverse Inter-Religious Council is offering moral support in
peace talks between Sierra Leone President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and Foday
Sankoh, leader of the Revolutioinary United Front.

Vice chairman of the council is United Methodist Bishop Joseph C. Humper,
now living in exile in Guinea and shepherding a flock of United Methodists
in war-torn Sierra Leone. 

Kabbah and Sankoh signed a cease-fire May 18 during talks in Lome, Togo.
The agreement, which takes effect May 24, provides for safe, unhindered
access to people in need and the release of prisoners of war and
noncombatant prisoners or hostages.

Despite the cease-fire, heavy fighting between the rebels and EOMOG, the
West African peacekeeping force, was reported May 20 around the eastern
Sierra Leone town of Kenema.

"Africa is crying," Humper told his colleagues on the United Methodist
Council of Bishops meeting recently in Chattanooga, Tenn. "We are doing
everything we can as people of faith to work for a sustainable peace."

Sierra Leone, slightly smaller than South Carolina, borders the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia.

On May 25, 1997, the democratically elected government of Kabbah was
overthrown by army personnel under the command of Major Johnny Paul Koroma.
Kabbah fled to neighboring Guinea.

ECOMOG forces, led by a strong Nigerian contingent, undertook the
suppression of the rebellion. They were initially successful, and by October
1997 they forced the rebels to agree to a cease-fire and to plan to return
the government to democratic control by April 22, 1998.  However, the agreed
demobilization of the combatants was not carried out by the rebel junta.  

On Feb. 5, 1998, hostilities broke out in the outskirts of Freetown, and
ECOMOG mounted a major offensive, completely routing the rebels.  Kabbah
returned to office March 10, 1998, to face the task of restoring order to a
demoralized population and a disorganized and severely damaged economy.

The first move of the interfaith council was to consult with civil
societies, parliamentarians, and traditional rulers or chiefs.  Secondly,
contacts were made during March and April with Kabbah and other government
leaders.

"These discussions resulted in our getting access to rebels in the bush
through radio communications," Humper said.  "That enabled us to get the
rebels to release 53 children in April."  

Kabbah also gave the council access to Sankoh, the jailed rebel leader who
has been sentenced to death for treason. "After a series of discussions with
him, the government allowed Sankoh  to talk with men in the bush," Humper
said.  

Following a meeting between U.N. representatives, Sankoh agreed to arrange
for representatives of his group to go to a neutral location to consult with
government leaders.

The Sierra Leone government allowed Sankoh, under security guard, to attend
a meeting in West Africa.  Sixteen rebel representatives attended the
meeting where work began on a paper to be presented to the government
pointing to a sustainable peace for the country.

"As a result of this move and these discussions, rebel attacks in Sierra
Leone have slowed down," according to the bishop. "We are hoping and
trusting that the talks will lead to real peace."

Humper said he finds it significant that the government is allowing the
interfaith council to play a mediating role. The organization, headed by a
Baptist, represents nine Islamic organizations and 18 Christian groups.

Humper's home in Freetown has been vandalized and he has been forced to live
elsewhere for several months. 

"I must face the risk (of returning)," he said.  "I can't stay in Guinea
indefinitely." 

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