[Anglican Communion News Service] The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is visiting Burundi to show solidarity with local Anglicans and to pray for peace and reconciliation. His visit comes hot on the heels of a solidarity visit by a delegation from the World Council of Churches, including Dr Agnes Abuom, the moderator of the WCC Central Committee and a member of the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Today, Archbishop Welby met with Burundi’s President, Pierre Nkurunziza, to pray and speak about reconciliation in the country.

“We make this solidarity visit to the Republic of Burundi to express our commitment to work with all religious leaders and all peace-seeking people of Burundi and to support their tireless efforts on the ground to secure a lasting peace and stability in Burundi,” the WCC general secretary, the Revd Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, said about the WCC’s visit which ends today.

“We want to express our great concern over the current escalation of tensions and violence in the country following the recent election. As representatives of the ecumenical family, we pray for peace to prevail in Burundi.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury arrived in Burundi yesterday. He will conclude his visit on Sunday.