wfn.org | ACNS3500 Fresh hope rekindles in Rwanda

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3500     |     RWANDA     |     7 JULY 2003

Fresh hope rekindles in Rwanda

[ACNS source: Council of the Anglican Provinces of Africa] The Episcopal
Church of Rwanda has become a pillar of hope and reconciliation to millions
of Rwandans who were affected by the 1994 genocide.

To demonstrate the church's commitment to reconciliation, Archbishop
Emmanuel Kolini, Primate of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, recently
established a body that will bring together all religious groups in Rwanda
to discuss unity.

The Interfaith Commission for Re-integration of Rwanda is headed by the
Archbishop and deputised by Rwanda's Islamic leader, Shehe Mufti Habimana
Saleh. It will seek ways and means of ending ethnic animosity while
promoting dialogue and free expression of all people.

Rwanda recently debated and agreed on a new constitution that is expected to
guide the country to peace and democracy. Presidential elections will now be
held on August 25 while parliamentary polls are slated for September 29.

These will be the first elections since the genocide that killed more that
half a million people.

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