World Council of Churches General Secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, will undertake a visit to troubled Eritrea from 16 to 19 May 2007 where he will meet church and other religious leaders as well as top government officials.

The WCC General Secretary will discuss the situation of violence in the Horn of Africa and how churches and governments can work together to bring about a lasting peace.

One of the goals of the visit is to identify ways in which the WCC can contribute to the search for peace and reconciliation in the region.

In February this year, the WCC Executive Commitee expressed its "growing concern" over the situation in the Horn of Africa.

Referring to it as "the most troubled region of the continent", the Executive Committee expressed growing concern about the developments in "this region of strategic importance".

The WCC governing body also acknowledged the role played by "religious communities in Ethiopia, Eritrea and the wider ecumenical fellowship" in looking for ways of reconciliation.

During his four-day visit to the Eritrean capital of Asmara, Kobia will meet the leadership of WCC member the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

He will also meet the leadership of WCC member the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, which has headquarters in neighbouring Ethiopia, but is also present in the country.

Encounters with representatives of churches and other faiths communities as well as with top government officials are scheduled.