Ivory Coast (MNN)–A deadly wave of toxic fumes wafting across Ivory Coast’s main city of Abidjan prompted both riots and the resignation of Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny’s cabinet.
That was prompted by several deaths and thousands complaints of illness from residue from a gasoline shipment apparently dumped around residential areas in Abidjan.
It’s a move that comes just a month before elections are slated, which effectively stalls those plans. In the meantime, a new 32 member Cabinet was expected to be formed in days and Banny’s job was not affected.
However, in an area already split in two since a brief 2002-2003 civil war, the ensuing riots brought back fears that the civil unrest would spill over and re-ignite old factions.
Lee Sonius is HCJB World Radio’s director of the Sub-Saharan African operations. He says their partner station, Frequence Vie, has stayed on the air through a lot worse.
In fact, he says, “That gives a lot of hope to people when a station can stay on the air when other stations around the city are closing down because they’re involved in politics or because they give the news.” When unrest plagues the political centers, radio stations often find themselves a target.
To their staff’s credit, they’ve managed to stay clear of the fray. “The message of hope that they’re broadcasting,” says Sonius, “is what that country needs and the only true reconciliation that’s going to take place is if people’s hearts are changed,” which again underscores this global team’s dedication to sharing the hope of Christ worldwide.
It’s a mark of their temerity that is what makes the whole of HCJB’s rise above the whole of global uncertainties. This year, the radio agency celebrates 75 years of ministry and looks forward to new directions that will allow the nationals they help to nuture the outreach.
The team is celebrating the effective service of their doctors who work towards wholeness as well as celebrating the expansion of work around the world and the great harvest that is still to come.
