World Council of Churches Fears Escalation Violence

(BosNewsLife) – The World Council of Churches (WCC) and five other ecumenical bodies urged the African Union and the Economic Community of West Africa to bring Togo’s government and the opposition “to the negotiating table” amid fears Christians are suffering because of escalating tensions. Adding to concern were reports late Friday, May 20, that the opposition’s presidential candidate, Emmanuel Akitani-Bob had a stroke and was flown to the American Hospital in Neuilly , outside Paris , France . Churches and local missionaries are reportedly especially suffering because of violence in the African nation between supporters of Togo ‘s new president Faure Gnassingbe and supporters of opposition leaders. “Some have said that government leaders want to take to actions against churches in days to come,” one native missionary said in a statement seen by BosNewsLife News Center , apparently on condition of anonymity.