Violent African Coup Results in Loss of Life, $300K in Equipment at HCJB Christian Radio Station
New reports stemming from Central Africa indicate that a global partner to the HCJB Christian radio station has suffered nearly $300,000 in damages as a result of last week's Central African Republic Coup, which resulted in the March 24 ousting of President Francois Bozize and the self-appointment of rebel leader Michel Djotodia as president.
Additionally, one of the employees at the radio station lost their son in the coup chaos that ensued last week near the Integrated Community Development International building, a partner of the HCJB Global radio station.
"We mourn with this family who has suffered bitter grief," Wayne Pederson, president and CEO of HCJB Global, said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post.
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"Our hearts are with the entire station staff, who is traumatized by the situation nationwide."
During the coup, the ICDI offices were reportedly ransacked by rioters and insurgents, resulting in the loss of $300,000 in equipment, including well-drilling equipment, broadcast equipment, six vehicles, and various other items.
Additionally, various items of radio equipment belonging to the Christian radio station were stolen, including the station's sound board, computers and microphones.
The president of the global Christian radio station went on to urge Christians to offer their prayers to those affected by the recent violence in the Central African Republic.
"Pray for the station's team members, who have lost a life and much more than equipment. They need God's peace in this time of great crisis to feel secure and his comfort to enable them to function normally again," Pederson said in the statement.
"In the midst of this chaos, the entire population needs to hear broadcasts of the message of hope that only God can bring to this nation."
On March 24, rebel Michel Djotodia led thousands of rebel fighters of the Seleka coalition into capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, to seize power from President Francois Bozize.
The Seleka rebel group decided to overthrow the president on the grounds that the president's regime failed to abide by a January 2013 ceasefire agreement with the rebel nation.
The bloody coup resulted in the deaths of at least 78, as well as 13 South African forces, and left hundreds of children separated or orphaned from their parents, according to the American Red Cross.
At a summit in Chad on Wednesday, African heads of state refused to recognize Djotodia as the Republic's new leader, arguing that he forced his way into the presidency.
The summit called for a transitional government to be implemented until a national election can occur within 18 months.
HCJB Global works internationally using media, health care, and community development to spread the Word of God to as many countries as possible.
The Christian radio station is currently off air indefinitely due to the coup's detrimental effects.
