Gunfire surrounding 3xM studio Ivory Coast

The situation in the Ivory Coast deteriorates every day, as is also experienced by the employees of the PEMA/ACT (African Christian Television), the partner of 3xM which produces and broadcasts Christian television programmes in the Ivory Coast. This week PEMA/ACT was confronted with heavy gunfire close the premises in which the studio and the office are situated in Abidjan. Gilbert Okoronkwo, manager of PEMA/ACT states: “Fortunately the fighters stopped before they arrived at our studio and we are still safe. Yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to carry on our work under these conditions.”

Escalation
Times are turbulent in the Ivory Coast since the presidential elections in November last year. The election results indicate that Alessane Ouattara gained the victory, but the current president Gbagbo does not accept this and refuses to leave. The situation seems to escalate more and more and particularly affects civilians. Public transportation has almost completely stopped and banks are still closed, as a result of which people have no access to their money. The European Union has made an embargo on the import of food and medicines, so undernourishment is lurking and hospitals are confronted with a shortage in medicines. 3xM calls on christians in the Netherlands to pray for the safety of her workers in Abidjan, a rapid opening of the banks and the termination of the embargo on food and medicine.

3xM
3xM has already aided local Christians for 30 years in producing and broadcasting television programmes. The transfer of know-how is part of the mission. 3xM particularly aims at countries where few Christians live and mainly operates in Africa and Asia.