H.E. Levy Mwanawasa
President
Republic of Zambia
Lusaka

11 April 2008

Your Excellency,

The World Council of Churches welcomes the initiative of convening an emergency summit of the Southern Africa Development Community to address the growing political crisis paralysing life and safety in Zimbabwe.

We strongly commend your intervention at this critical time and believe this will help to peacefully resolve the current political impasse.

The World Council of Churches, together with the All Africa Conference of Churches, sent a team to monitor the 29 March elections in Zimbabwe and will continue its commitment for peace and stability.

It is the sovereign right of the people of Zimbabwe to choose their leaders, define the future of their country and insist upon a peaceful transition.

I would like to take this opportunity to express the gratitude of the World Council of Churches and its 349 member churches representing more than 550 million Christians around the world for the wisdom and dedication with which you lead your nation and your commitment to peace and stability in Africa and the world.

May our Lord Jesus give you wisdom as you and the leaders of southern Africa meet this weekend. We pray for a peaceful and just outcome to the current situation 

Sincerely yours,

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia
General Secretary