Armed conflict in West Africa has been under way in a number of countries for more than a decade. Liberia was severely affected by civil war for much of the 1990s. In the last several years, Sierra Leone has faced a similar situation.

Recently, it has become increasingly apparent that insurgent groups–and even governments–have been involved in the illicit trade in natural resources, such as diamonds and timber. This has enabled them to finance the purchase of arms and otherwise support the continuation of the fighting. The devastating effects on the civilian population–such as displacement, amputation of limbs, disruption of agriculture–have been a source of distress and horror for the victims, including members of partner churches, and observers around the world.

The conflicts in the region have had an even greater effect on the neighboring countries, such as Guinea. Problems include an increased flow of refugees and cross-border troop movements. The ELCA has been able to respond to the humanitarian needs of the victims of these wars both directly and through the Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief.

The board of ELCA Global Mission, in October 2000, approved the following resolution and requested consideration by the Church Council.

Whereas, the Lutheran Church in Liberia and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone have told us of the impact of the conflicts on the churches and their institutions as well as the people themselves; and

Whereas, we have been able to respond to the human needs created by this situation directly and through the Lutheran World Federation; and

Whereas, the United Nations has initiated a process of information gathering to enable the world better to understand the link between trade in diamonds and trade in arms and related material; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

(1) call upon members of the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to pray for the people of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, and better familiarize themselves with the ongoing conflict and its causes;

(2) continue to make available financial and material assistance to meet the humanitarian needs of the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone through the Lutheran World Federation, Lutheran World Relief, and other appropriate partners; and

(3) encourage members of our church to engage in advocacy with their elected leaders, utilizing resources available through the Division for Church in Society ’s Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs and Lutheran Office for World Community, the Washington Office on Africa, and other ecumenical partners, as well as educational resources available through ELCA Global Mission.