Jamaica: Brave stand against drug lords
The gun battles in Kingston to capture Jamaican drug lord Christopher ‘Dukas’ Coke are similar to Mexico's long war on its drug lords. See Mexico drug baron Leaders in both countries had to make courageous decisions when they decided to confront the most powerful drug lords with guns and the rule of law. They also decided to send their worst drug lords to the United States for trial. This takes tremendous courage. The drug gangs are tightly woven into each nation's politics, a co-existence ending up badly for the country, as Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding now admits. When he turned against established drug lord ‘Dudus’, the battle turned parts of Kingston into a war zone, as street battles are necessary for cleansing Jamaican society.
Pray: for a complete cleansing of Kingston, no longer labelled one of the murder capitals of the world, but called a city of blessings. (Pr.11:11) More: http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Editorial-Board-Blog/2010/0525/Jamaica-attacks-like-Mexico-s-drug-war-reveal-a-brave-stand-against-drug-lords
Ivory Coast: Warnings of severe humanitarian crisis
As Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is officially inaugurated in front of heads of state from around the world, Oxfam warned of more than 300,000 people displaced from their homes within the country and in neighbouring Liberia being in ‘dire’ need of assistance because the conflict in the months following the presidential election triggered a severe humanitarian crisis with only 35 per cent of the UN's appeals for funds being met. The shortfall in donors amounts to a funding gap of $200 million. In neighbouring Liberia, between 200 and 400 refugees continue to arrive daily from the Ivory Coast, yet the response is only 44 per cent funded.
Pray: for funding to be released so that agencies can meet the needs of the displaced in Liberia and Ivory Coast. (Deut.25:4)
Ivory Coast: Tensions despite calm
Archbishop Jean-Pierre Kutwa of Abidjan said shootings have reduced but it is a disquieting calm and very tense. People are barricaded in their homes, some without water, electricity or food as they await the finale to the battle in an indescribable tragedy. Internationally recognised President Alassane Ouattara needs to take over the presidential palace and the national radio and television network headquarters. The local Church feels, ‘Without control of these three structures Ouattara cannot establish himself in the eyes of Ivorians as the legitimate authority of the Country.’ It is reported that both sides have recruited mercenaries and militias to fight the past months battles. Pray: for all weapons and missiles to be laid down by state-run military and hired foreign militia. (Ps.118:17)
Ivory Coast: Refugees trapped in church compound
30,000 people are trapped in a church compound in Ivory Coast as fighting worsens. A priest who did not want to be named said many who had sought refuge at the mission were migrants from West African countries who had been working in the cocoa plantations. Many arrived with gunshot wounds. Forces loyal to UN-backed President-elect Alassane Ouattara are on the offensive on several fronts against the army loyal to ‘President’ Laurent Gbagbo who refuses to stand down despite losing November's election. The UN has accused pro-Gbagbo forces of shooting civilians and killing at least 10 on Monday. A group of Gbagbo supporters burnt another man alive. One million people have fled the violence. The priest appealed for his mission to be treated as a safe haven by all the fighting forces and says there is not enough food or sanitation for those inside. Pray: for the Christians within the compound to be strengthened as they attempt to comfort, calm and minister to the terrified hiding in the compound. (Ps.119:122-123) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890555
Ivory Coast: Church aiding refugees
Christian aid workers are providing medical assistance to thousands of people fleeing unrest in Ivory Coast. The country has been hit by months of unrest as incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo refuses to hand over power to his rival Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognised winner of last November’s presidential election. The instability has turned to violent conflict in recent weeks as rival forces clash in the Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan. The violence has triggered an exodus of more than 70,000 people, around half of whom have crossed the border into Liberia. Most of the refugees in Liberia are concentrated in the border village of Butuo, where ACT Alliance member Finn Church Aid has been supplying the clinics with medicine and other medical supplies since December. Pray: that the aid workers in the Ivory Coast will receive all that is necessary to meet the needs of the refugees. (Ps.132:15) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.aiding.refugees.as.insecurity.worsens.in.ivory.coast/27620.htm
Ivory Coast: Brothers crucified by Ouattara forces
Two peasant brothers were brutally crucified on ‘the example of Christ’ as forces loyal to Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara continue to target perceived supporters of his ousted Christian predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo. Raphael Aka Kouame died of his injuries; incredibly his younger brother, Kouassi Privat Kacou, survived the ordeal. The pair were badly beaten and tortured before being crudely nailed to cross-shaped planks by their hands and feet with steel spikes on 29 May. The brothers were falsely accused of hiding weapons in their home village of Binkro, which has been targeted by Ouattara supporters as the birthplace of a key enemy. The brothers repeatedly denied any involvement in a weapons cache, but their pleas were ignored. This is just one of the many atrocities that have been committed as fighting between Ouattara and Gbagbo supporters has continued in the wake of the disputed presidential election last November. Pray: for the protection of the believers against such atrocities. (Ps.5:1) More: http://www.barnabasfund.org/Brothers-crucified-by-Ouattara-forces-in-Ivory-Coast.html