Inter-Religious Council Working for Peace in Sierra Leone.

United Methodist News Feature

Contact: Thomas S. McAnally · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn

A remarkably diverse Inter-Religious Council is offering moral support in peace talks between Sierra Leone President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and Foday Sankoh, leader of the Revolutioinary United Front.

Vice chairman of the council is United Methodist Bishop Joseph C. Humper, now living in exile in Guinea and shepherding a flock of United Methodists in war-torn Sierra Leone.

Kabbah and Sankoh signed a cease-fire May 18 during talks in Lome, Togo. The agreement, which takes effect May 24, provides for safe, unhindered access to people in need and the release of prisoners of war and noncombatant prisoners or hostages.

Despite the cease-fire, heavy fighting between the rebels and EOMOG, the West African peacekeeping force, was reported May 20 around the eastern Sierra Leone town of Kenema.

"Africa is crying," Humper told his colleagues on the United Methodist Council of Bishops meeting recently in Chattanooga, Tenn. "We are doing everything we can as people of faith to work for a sustainable peace."

Sierra Leone, slightly smaller than South Carolina, borders the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia.

On May 25, 1997, the democratically elected government of Kabbah was overthrown by army personnel under the command of Major Johnny Paul Koroma. Kabbah fled to neighboring Guinea.

ECOMOG forces, led by a strong Nigerian contingent, undertook the suppression of the rebellion. They were initially successful, and by October 1997 they forced the rebels to agree to a cease-fire and to plan to return the government to democratic control by April 22, 1998. However, the agreed demobilization of the combatants was not carried out by the rebel junta.

On Feb. 5, 1998, hostilities broke out in the outskirts of Freetown, and ECOMOG mounted a major offensive, completely routing the rebels. Kabbah returned to office March 10, 1998, to face the task of restoring order to a demoralized population and a disorganized and severely damaged economy.

The first move of the interfaith council was to consult with civil societies, parliamentarians, and traditional rulers or chiefs. Secondly, contacts were made during March and April with Kabbah and other government leaders.

"These discussions resulted in our getting access to rebels in the bush through radio communications," Humper said. "That enabled us to get the rebels to release 53 children in April."

Kabbah also gave the council access to Sankoh, the jailed rebel leader who has been sentenced to death for treason. "After a series of discussions with him, the government allowed Sankoh to talk with men in the bush," Humper said.

Following a meeting between U.N. representatives, Sankoh agreed to arrange for representatives of his group to go to a neutral location to consult with government leaders.

The Sierra Leone government allowed Sankoh, under security guard, to attend a meeting in West Africa. Sixteen rebel representatives attended the meeting where work began on a paper to be presented to the government pointing to a sustainable peace for the country.

"As a result of this move and these discussions, rebel attacks in Sierra Leone have slowed down," according to the bishop. "We are hoping and trusting that the talks will lead to real peace."

Humper said he finds it significant that the government is allowing the interfaith council to play a mediating role. The organization, headed by a Baptist, represents nine Islamic organizations and 18 Christian groups.

Humper's home in Freetown has been vandalized and he has been forced to live elsewhere for several months.

"I must face the risk (of returning)," he said. "I can't stay in Guinea indefinitely."

May 21, 1999