News
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) have expressed their profound concern over reports of widespread and violent demonstrations in the nation of Burundi. The fellowship of churches represented by these bodies is alarmed at the recent violent clashes in relation to forthcoming presidential elections.
In a statement issued in Geneva and Nairobi on 5 May by the general secretary of the WCC Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and the general secretary of AACC Rev. Dr André Karamaga, the two leaders noted that “These protests are by far the most intense that Burundi has experienced since 2005 and the end of the civil war. We mourn those who have lost their lives during these troubled times, and together we call for peaceful dialogue.”
The statement continued, “We call on churches and all religious leaders in Burundi to renew their commitment to peace, and actively to discourage any form of violence. We call on the leaders of all faiths to support a nationwide dialogue based on mutual respect among all parties.”
The World Council of Churches and the All Africa Conference of Churches invite the people of their member churches, and all people of good will, to pray for those in Burundi, for justice, and for peace.
