News
The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev Dr. Samuel Kobia, visited the Eritrean capital of Asmara on 16-19 May 2007. He met church representatives and the president of the country and affirmed the Council's commitment to churches engaged in peace, reconciliation and nation building efforts.
At a meeting with President Isaias Afewerki, Kobia expressed that the WCC will continue advocating for peace and reconciliation in the region with special reference to the long-standing border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia. He also acknowledged the role played by the president in the peace processes in Eastern Sudan and in Darfur. President Afewerki said he would welcome greater involvement of the WCC in these processes.
The WCC general secretary paid a brief visit to the headquarters of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which is the only WCC member in the country. Given the current difficulties affecting the leadership of the church, Kobia only conveyed greetings to the members of the church staff, both lay and ordained who were present. He took advantage of the opportunity to learn first hand about the situation through which the church is going.
During his visit Kobia met the president of the Evangelical Church of Eritrea (Lutheran), Rev. Asfah Mehari, and the general secretary of the Catholic Secretariat - Eparchy of Asmara, Abba Teclemicael Tewalde, as well as country representatives of Norwegian Church Aid, Dutch Interchurch Aid and the Lutheran World Federation.
The visit followed action taken on the situation in the Horn of Africa by the WCC executive committee in February this year. In a public statement the committee stressed the need for the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments to "reengage in efforts to resolve their long-standing border dispute in a peaceful and amicable manner". The committee also appealed to both governments to "foster dialogue with opposition political parties to establish democracy, human rights and the rule of law".
The WCC general secretary was accompanied by Dr Agnes Abuom, a member of the WCC central and executive committees and former WCC president from Africa, and by WCC staff Rev. Dr André Karamaga, responsible for Africa regional relations.
Media contact: André Karamaga +41-78-730-2085
Additional information on the recent WCC executive committee statement on the situation in the Horn of Africa is available at: