Reports 1995-1998 Edited by Dwain C. Epps

Statement on Burundi

Adopted by the Central Committee, Geneva, 12-20 September 1996.

The situation in Burundi has steadily deteriorated following the October 1993 assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed during the last three years as a result of violence between the majority Hutus and the Tutsi minority that dominates the army. Due to the conflict over 200,000 refugees from Burundi have sought shelter in Zaire and Tanzania. In Burundi itself over 200,000 people have been internally displaced. The cycle of violence continues unabated making the future of the people of Burundi insecure and uncertain.

The ongoing conflict has led to the breakdown of civil administration and the justice system in the country. During the last three years Burundi has experienced virtual anarchy. The erosion of the power and authority of the State has made it possible for the perpetrators of grave and serious human rights violations to carry on their acts with complete impunity. The July 1996 massacre of over three hundred civilians, mostly women, children and the aged, at Camp Bugendana in the Gitega region was one in a series of such killings that have become a matter of routine.

The military coup d’état that took place in the wake of the Camp Bugendana massacre has seriously jeopardised the efforts to restore peace in the country by the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity, the East African Heads of State, and the former Tanzanian President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. However, the widespread condemnation of the Coup, the refusal to recognize the military regime of President Pierre Buyoya, and the imposition of sanctions by neighbouring states are indications that the African countries and the international community are no longer prepared to remain silent spectators to the ghastly events in Burundi.

The World Council of Churches together with the All Africa Conference of Churches since the beginning of the present crisis in 1993 have continued to monitor the events and have accompanied the churches as they have passed through this turbulent period, undertaking pastoral visits, holding meetings and consultations with the leadership of the churches in Burundi. The member churches have sought to provide humanitarian relief assistance to the victims of the conflict, initially through Church World Action-Burundi, and subsequently through Action of Churches Together (ACT).

The developments in Burundi are a challenge to the churches. They negate the basis of our Christian faith and experience. The Gospel of our Lord teaches that life should be nourished and defended against the forces of darkness and death.

Accordingly, the Central Committee meeting in Geneva, September 1996:

offers its profound condolences to the Roman Catholic faithful of Burundi, and laments with them the tragic assassination of Archbishop Joachim Ruhuna on the eve of our meeting;

condemns the continued use of violence by the armed groups and the military in Burundi to destroy innocent civilian life and property in the country;

deplores the military coup staged by the Burundian army that has jeopardized the fragile peace process initiated by the regional governments;

calls upon the military leadership to take immediate steps to reestablish constitutional rule, accept the Declaration of Principles of Mwanza I, and agree to a framework of negotiations that includes all parties;

congratulates the OAU and the Coalition of African States in and around the Great Lakes region for their precedent-setting action to restore democratic rule in Burundi, and calls upon them to ensure that, in the context of international efforts to bring peace to Burundi, aid agencies, both UN-related and private, will have access to humanitarian relief supplies and essential commodities in order to care for the victims of the conflict and protect human rights;

commends and supports the peacemaking efforts of the former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, and urges the governments of the region as well as those outside to provide political support and resources for his efforts;

appeals to the United Nations Security Council, the Organization of African Unity and the East African Heads of States to continue their efforts to provide protection to the people of Burundi; and

assures the churches of Burundi of its prayers and support in the trials of these days and in their efforts to become faithful witnesses for peace in their society.

Congo (Republic)

Expression of solidarity with the churches

Identical letters to Pasteur Alphonse Mbama of the Evangelical Church of the Congo and to the Ecumenical Council of Churches of the Congo, expressing solidarity with the churches and people of Congo-Brazzaville in the midst of generalized conflict and violence, 27 June 1997.

Bouleversés par les nouvelles qui nous parviennent de votre pays, nous voulons vous exprimer l’assurance de notre solidarité et de nos prières dans ce moment tragique que traverse votre peuple.

Alors que résonnent les bruits des armes et les cris de violence, nous prions pour que la voix de ceux qui appellent à la résolution pacifique du conflit, à la tolérance et à la justice, se fasse entendre avec clarté. Nous prions pour que le témoignage des Eglises du Congo soit porteur d’espérance et de sens dans ces temps de peurs et de confusion. Nous portons tout particulièrement dans nos prières la souffrance des victimes et des milliers de personnes affectées par le conflit.

Même s’il est difficile pour le moment de communiquer régulièrement avec vous, soyez assurés de l’attention constante que nous portons à l’évolution de la situation dans votre pays avec l’espoir, que nous partageons avec vous, qu’une solution pourra être trouvée le plus rapidement possible.

Que Dieu vous donne la force de la Foi et de l’Espérance pour être les témoins de son Amour dans cette période critique de l’histoire de votre pays.

Votre frère en Christ,

Konrad Raiser

Secrétaire général

[Translation]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Shocked by the news that we are receiving from your country, we wish to assure you of our solidarity and of our prayers in this tragic hour through which your people pass.

As the arms and the cries of violence resound, we pray that the voice of those who call for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, for tolerance and for justice will make themselves clearly heard. We pray that the witness of the churches of the Congo may give hope and meaning in these times of fear and confusion. We lift up especially in our prayers the suffering of the victims and of the thousands of persons affected by this conflict.

Though it is difficult for the moment to communicate regularly with you, be assured of the constant attention we pay to the evolution of the situation in your country in the hope that we share with you that a solution may be found as soon as possible.

May God give you the strength of the Faith and of Hope to be witnesses to his Love in this critical period of the history of your country.

Your brother in Christ,

Konrad Raiser

General Secretary
Congo (Democratic Republic) / Zaïre