wfn.org | WCC and AACC Statement on Ethiopia

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and 
the Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala, General Secretary of the All Africa Conference 
of Churches are deeply concerned about the situation in Ethiopia. They have 
therefore issued a joint statement which you will find below.

General Secretariat
H.E. Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
P. O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

Direct dial:

(+41-22) 791 6285

Direct e-mail:

uz@wcc-coe.org

Direct fax:

(+41-22) 791 6535

									     
      Fax: 
00251.1.552.020/030

								    10 June 
2005

AN APPEAL BY THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND

THE ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES ON THE CRISIS IN ETHIOPIA

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the All Africa Conference of 
Churches (AACC) are deeply disturbed by the recent events in 
Ethiopia.  Over twenty people have lost their lives and several hundreds 
were injured, as a result of action of the security forces against peaceful 
student demonstrators. The demonstrations were staged to protest against 
alleged voting irregularities in the parliamentary elections of 15th 
May.  The security forces not only blocked the demonstrations, but also 
intimidated and beat up the people including opposition candidates.  The 
protest demonstrations are now in their third day, and emotions and 
tensions are running high.  It is imperative that the authorities in 
Ethiopia exercise utmost care and understanding in handling the present 
crisis so that the situation is not allowed to further deteriorate.

The WCC and AACC call on the government of Ethiopia to ensure that the 
security forces exercise maximum restraint in handling the protesters and 
refrain from using excessive force. We have received reports of large 
numbers of arrests made by the security forces without due 
process.  Consequently, we request that those held in detention should be 
properly treated and not held incommunicado, tortured and/or beaten.

Given the tense situation in the country we appeal to the government of 
Ethiopia to enter into a dialogue with the opposition political parties and 
civil society groups in order to find an amicable settlement of the present 
crisis.

We call on the churches of Ethiopia to play their prophetic and pastoral 
role in helping to bring the situation to normalcy, and assure them of our 
readiness to support their efforts towards bringing peace, justice and 
reconciliation.

We pray for the people of Ethiopia and hope that peace and calm will return 
soon so that people can get back to their normal lives.

Yours sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia
General Secretary - World Council of Churches

Rev. Dr H. Mvume Dandala
General Secretary - All Africa Conference of Churches