Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)- “The Holy Father’s call comes at the right moment because the situation here is explosive” says a Catholic missionary in Côte d'Ivoire referring to a call for peace and national harmony made yesterday 22 January by Pope Benedict XVI. “Among much concern for the international situations, - the Pope said after the midday Angelus prayer - my thoughts return today to Africa and Côte d'Ivoire in particular, where there is persisting tension between the country’s different social and political components. I warmly invite all to continue constructive dialogue to promote reconciliation and peace. I entrust these intentions to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so loved the people of Côte d'Ivoire.”
“After violence and tensions over the past few days things have calmed down. But violence could re-explode any moment” says the missionary. “We welcome the Holy Father’s call to pray for peace in Côte d'Ivoire”.
The country’s Catholic Bishops also voiced concern for the national crisis. In a statement issued at the end of a recent Plenary Assembly the Bishops said “the principle desire of all Ivorians is to reach peace through dialogue, reconciliation and harmony”. They also say that public demonstrations last week “were not the best way to obtain the return of peace”. The Bishops urge young men who built barricades in Abidjan, Young Patriots, supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo “to take care to avoid the trap of insurrection and violence”.
A sign of a lessening of political tension was the decision by the Ivorian People’s Front (FPI), President Gbagbo’s party to reintegrate its ministers in the national unity government led by Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny and take part in the peace process. The FPI left the government after the International Work Group, charged with following the peace process between domestic factions, decided not to prolong the mandate of the National Assembly which expired in December. The announcement led to protests by supporters of the president culminating in clashes with UN peacekeepers in the west in which some people were killed. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/1/2006 righe 35 parole 425)
