wfn.org | WCC NEWS Congo-Rwanda: Kobia appeals for peaceful settlement

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - Press Release 
For immediate release: 5 July 2004

WCC GENERAL SECRETARY APPEALS FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN
CONGO AND RWANDA

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel
Kobia has urged Joseph Kabia and Paul Kagame, the presidents,
respectively, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the
Republic of Rwanda, to "resolve the current crisis in the border
area between Congo and Rwanda through dialogue, mediation and
peaceful settlement".

In separate letters sent on 24 June to the two presidents, Kobia
emphasizes that the WCC is "deeply concerned and troubled by the
current developments on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic
Republic of Congo".

"If the present drift towards hostility is not handled with
urgency, utmost care and sensitivity, it is likely to result in
another needless war that may have adverse effects on the
carefully managed Lusaka Peace Agreement," Kobia warns.

The WCC helped mobilize support for the August 1999 Lusaka peace
agreement and the April 2003 Sun City agreement among the
region's churches; both agreements were instrumental in restoring
peace to the area.

Together with the All African Conference of Churches, the WCC
has been actively involved for over a decade in efforts to bring
about a just and lasting peace for the Great Lakes region in
general and, more particularly, between the Democratic Republic
of Congo and Rwanda. 

Additional information on WCC and Rwanda available at:
http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/Kenya%2BRwanda%2Bvisit

For more information contact:
Media Relations Office: tel: (+41 22) 791 6421 /  6153
media@wcc-coe.org - http://www.wcc-coe.org 

The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now
342, 
in more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all
Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but
works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the
assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was
formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is
headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in
Kenya.