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)

More: http://www.cisanewsafrica.com/?p=984

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

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

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