World Council of Churches - News Release
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

For immediate release: 5 February 2008


Churches in Burundi and African ecumenical notables engage to stabilize the country


In Burundi, where democratic elections in 2005 fostered hopes for peace and democracy, recent crime and violence has caused the churches there to fear for the nation's stability. An ecumenical delegation led by former Mozambique president, Joaquim Chissano, visited the central African country at the invitation of the National Council of Churches in Burundi, 28-31 January. Chissano has gained international recognition for a successful disarmament programme in Mozambique.

Two feature stories and a report tell you about the why's and what's of the mission:

In Burundi fear of guns drives insecurity

Feature story by Fredrick Nzwili

An abundance of illegal guns in the hands of civilians and ex-combatants is threatening to stall peace efforts in the central African nation of Burundi and undermine security once more.

The guns are being used in robberies, killings and violence against women and children, Methodist Bishop Noe Nzeyimana said in an interview in the capital city, Bujumbura. "Insecurity in Burundi is because of these arms which are everywhere."
Read more:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1722/in-burundi-fear-of-guns-d.html


Eminent Ecumenical Persons on solidarity visit to Burundi

Feature story by Fredrick Nzwili

An ecumenical solidarity visit to Burundi, led by the former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, under the Eminent Persons Ecumenical Programme for Peace in Africa (EPEPPA), started in the country's capital, Bujumbura, on 29 January.

They were meeting with top government officials in order to reinforce the Burundian peace process.
Read more:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1722/eminent-ecumenical-person.html


The Eminent Persons Ecumenical Programme for Peace in Africa: First experience in Burundi

Report by WCC programme executive for Africa André Karamaga

Read more about the current situation in Burundi, the aims of the visit and an appraisal of its outcome:
http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=5543

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland..