May 16, 2007

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia is visiting Eritrea 16-19 May 2007. Kobia will meet church and other religious leaders as well as top government officials.

The visit follows action taken on the situation in the Horn of Africa by the WCC Executive Committee in February this year. Referring to it as "the most troubled region of the continent," the Executive Committee expressed "growing concern" about the "developments in this region of strategic importance." The WCC governing body also acknowledged the role played by "religious communities in Ethiopia, Eritrea and the wider ecumenical fellowship" in looking for ways of reconciliation.

During his four-day visit to the Eritrean capital of Asmara, Kobia will meet the leadership of WCC member the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. He will also meet the leadership of WCC member the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, which has headquarters in neighboring Ethiopia, but is also present in the country. Encounters with representatives of other Christian churches and other faiths communities as well as with top government officials are scheduled.

The WCC general secretary will discuss the situation of violence in the Horn of Africa and how churches and governments can work together to bring about a lasting peace. One of the goals of the visit is to identify ways in which the Council can contribute to the search for peace and reconciliation in the region.

World Council of Churches