AEA Secretary General’s Visit to Niger

From 13-16 October 2024, the Secretary General of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) Dr. Master O. Matlhaope visited Niger, to express the solidarity of AEA to the church and people of Niger affected by Islamic insurgency.  Violent attacks by jihadist groups targeting communities in the western regions of the country, along the border with Burkina Faso, have caused mass displacements including a thousand of Christian families.

“We want our brothers and sisters in Niger to know that they are not alone in this time of sorrow and hardship. I would like to convey the greetings and prayers of the 250 million Evangelicals in Africa”, said Dr Master O. Matlhaope as he met with a group of displaced Christians gathered in a local church in Niamey, the capital.

During his visit, Dr Master O. Matlhaope met with the Minister of Interior Affairs, General Mohamed Toumba, and the Minister of Education Dr Elisabeth Sherif. He was accompanied by three leaders of the National Alliance locally known as the Alliance of Missions and Evangelical churches in Niger (AMEEN): the President, Rev Sani Nomaou; the General Secretary, Rev Sabo Batchiri; and the Treasurer, Rev Omar Gounabi.

With the two members of the government, he expressed the gratitude of AEA to the authorities of Niger for their efforts to ensure religious freedom and the protection of Christians who represent 1% of Niger’s 25 million inhabitants.  With the Minister of Interior Affairs, Dr Master O. Matlhaope advocated for a unity in Africa, and the necessity of good governance. He thanked the government of Niger for sending a representative at the inaugural faith sector engagement with the African Union (FASAU), Summit in April in Addis Ababa. With the Minister of Education, Dr Matlhaope stressed the importance of education in dealing with the root causes of current challenges faced by the continent. The two members of the government were very delighted to receive the visit of AEA’s delegation and expressed their willingness to work with AEA in the areas of education and leadership for a mindset transformation in Africa.

This allowed Dr Matlhaope to introduce AEA to the participants. He recalled AEA’s vision to mobilize and empower the church for the holistic transformation of communities and societies in Africa, and the opportunities offered to churches to reinforce their capacities through AEA’s training institutions.

The Secretary General also met with church leaders including the executive leadership of AMEEN, and the leaders of denominations.

This allowed Dr Matlhaope to introduce AEA to the participants. He recalled AEA’s vision to mobilize and empower the church for the holistic transformation of communities and societies in Africa, and the opportunities offered to churches to reinforce their capacities through AEA’s training institutions.

Among other institutions, Dr Matlhaope noted the Africa International University (AIU), based in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology (BEST), also known in French as Faculté de Théologie Evangélique de Bangui (FATEB), based in the Central Africa Republic. With his dual roles as both Secretary General of AEA and Chancellor of AIU, Dr Matlhaope announced partial scholarships for young Nigeriens wanting to study at AIU.

He also expressed the significance of the Christian Business Coalition (CBC), AEA’s newly established commission, which aimed at bringing together Christian business owners and bridging the gap between them and the church in Africa.

Dr Matlhaope seized the opportunity to extend his invitation to the church leadership in Niger to attend AEA’s General Assembly (GA) scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda in May 2025. He encouraged both the executive of the National Alliance and its members to be represented at this important gathering, where key decisions will be made that will shape the future of AEA and that of the continent.

The President of the National Alliance, Rev Sani Nomaou, also gave an overview of his organisation and church presence in Niger. The Alliance of Missions and Evangelical churches of Niger comprised more than sixty denominations members, and is represented in the eight regions of the country. Since its creation in 2001, AMEEN has developed a strong relationship with other religious groups and secular organizations, and participated in interreligious dialogue and holistic development in the country. 

During his visit Dr Master O. Matlhaope met with Christians displaced by recent terrorist attacks,. He listened to chilling stories of violence and trauma encountered by the displaced persons. The victims recalled how the terrorists stormed their villages and asked to convert to Islam or turned into slaves. This prompt many to flee, than renouncing their Christian faith. The Secretary General also met a group of Muslims displaced persons in the suburb of Niamey, the capital. A 70 year old man shared with Dr Matlhaope how jihadists sliced the throat of his son in front of him. With both Christian and Muslim displaced people, the Secretary General of AEA extended his sympathy and prayers. He also offered some food kits comprising of a bag of rice and a gallon of cooking oil, to the displaced persons including:

• 50 displaced families with an average of 7 members per family
• 35 widows with an average of 7 members per family,
• And 200 children, rendered orphans by terrorist attacks.

This symbolic gesture of solidary was made possible thanks to the financial support of Deo Volente, a key partner of AEA in Africa. The visit also offered an opportunity to assess the situation of the country and how to better contribute to lasting solutions.