Latest News #215
October 2, 2002

The following news concerns Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

Bible Society of Côte d’Ivoire to distribute Selection in response to crisis

ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire — The Bible Society of Côte d’Ivoire is responding to the renewed feeling of national solidarity in Côte d'Ivoire following an attempted coup by producing a Selection entitled Secours en Temps d’Epreuve (‘Help in Testing Times’).

The armed uprising on September 19 by forces opposed to the government left at least 270 people dead and more than 300 injured, according to a report from the Bible Society. The outbreak of conflict was totally unexpected, especially as social and political tensions had been greatly eased by a new mood of reconciliation between the leaders of the main political parties.

Ordinary people were greatly shocked by the extent of the violence, in which a number of politicians were killed or kidnapped. It soon became clear that these were not simply random acts of violence but that a highly organised attempt to overthrow the government was being made using a vast range of weapons acquired from abroad.

Along with the rest of the population, Bible Society staff were taken by surprise by the rapidly unfolding events. However, General Secretary Jean Kouassi states that they “thank God that, although caught unawares and suffering many losses of life within their ranks, government troops were able to put a stop to the rebels’ wicked plan.” He indicates that the situation is now becoming calmer: “we believe that the nightmare is coming to an end.”