In a recent interview, Sierra Leone's Bishop Joseph Humper expressed gratitude to United Methodists around the world for their support of the people of Sierra Leone during the war. According to the bishop, many United Methodist agencies and conferences have provided his church with "money and other resources . . . to help the displaced and the refugees." He said that throughout the nine years when his country has been plagued by war, United Methodist communities have been sympathetic to the plight of his countrymen. "I am proud to be a United Methodist," he said.

Bishop Humper is particularly thankful to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for a $90,000 grant to him and other members of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone. The council used the money to launch peace initiatives designed to end the civil war in Sierra Leone. They "carried out peace missions" in and outside of the country, meeting with the warring parties.

The war in Sierra Leone started in March 1991 when Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels launched an insurgency to overthrow the government. They accused the government of corruption and incompetency. The rebels have used diamonds in areas under their control to bankroll their military campaign.

In 1992, the military overthrew the government. Under pressure from the international community, the military rulers called for an election, which they lost. The new civilian government was later overthrown by a military junta. After nine months in exile, the elected government was restored to power by ECOMOG, the Nigerian-led West African intervention force.

The RUF assaulted the capital Freetown in January 1999, burning most of the city, before being driven out by ECOMOG troops. Thousands of people were killed and many more were displaced, including Bishop Humper and other United Methodists. "I escaped by the mercy of God," said Bishop Humper. The rebels broke into his house and looted everything, except for the pair of "shorts and slippers" that he was wearing when he fled.

When the Bishop returned from hiding, he mobilized many of his colleagues to work for peace. Through the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, they became "mediator between the government and the rebels," he said. The council played a role in bringing the warring parties to negotiate a peace deal in Lome, Togo. The agreement called for an end to the fighting, gave blanket amnesty to the rebels, and promised them key government posts.

Fighting resumed when the rebels attacked and captured UN troops deployed in Sierra Leone to monitor the peace accord. Foday Sankoh, the rebel leader, fled after his bodyguards shot at protesters standing outside his home. He was later captured by British and government troops. Under a new UN resolution, the rebel leader may soon be tried by an international court made up of judges from Sierra Leone and other countries.

According to Bishop Humper, the war has destroyed his country's infrastructure, including clinics and schools operated by The United Methodist Church. Many people have lost their lives, usually at the hands of the RUF. The rebels have been accused of maiming, killing, and committing other atrocities against civilians.

July 17, 2000

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