African Evangelical Leaders visit the Angolan National Assembly
On 1st October 2024, the Secretary General of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), Dr. Master Matlhaope, accompanied by the General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of Angola, Dr. Alexandre Saul, visited the Angolan National Assembly. During the visit, they met with the 3rd Vice President of the National Assembly, Raul Lima. The meeting focused on discussions regarding the role of the church in Africa’s development, unity among African nations, and the collaborative efforts of the Angolan government and the evangelical community. The following key points were covered:
1. Introduction of AEA and Its Mission
The General Secretary introduced the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), outlining its mission and vision for Africa. He highlighted the organization’s involvement in programmatic development and the proclamation of the gospel in various regions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia. AEA’s work in amplifying the voices of persecuted communities was also discussed.
2. AEA Vision 2063 – The Africa God Wants
The General Secretary presented AEA’s long-term vision, known as Vision 2063, which outlines the future they envision for Africa:
- A continent where guns are silent.
- An Africa where the abundant resources benefit its citizens.
- A continent where young people have opportunities and are inspired to stay, rather than risking their lives migrating across the Mediterranean Sea.
- A vision for an Africa led by ethical leaders who prioritize the welfare of their people.
The General Secretary emphasized that this vision is achievable with the continued efforts of governments like Angola’s. He commended Angola for the progress it has made in governance and encouraged further strides, saying, ‘We believe it is possible, and we thank your governance for the strides you have made.’ He called for continued efforts to reduce poverty across the continent and create a transformed Africa that is self-reliant, where nations can lend to others rather than borrow.
3. Unity and Solidarity in Africa
The General Secretary stressed the importance of unity across Africa. ‘We believe we can unite Africa, where we are each other’s brothers’ keeper,’ he said, urging African nations to protect and support each other. He praised the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) efforts in Mozambique as an example of regional collaboration, expressing hope that such solidarity could be replicated across the continent.
Additionally, the GS noted Angola’s history of overcoming challenges and expressed confidence that Angola could serve as an example for other nations. He encouraged continued efforts toward reconciliation and development, acknowledging Angola’s ability to champion unity and progress.
4. Collaboration with the Angolan Government
The General Secretary also highlighted the successful collaboration between the evangelical community and the Angolan government. He expressed gratitude for the partnership, stating, ‘The collaboration between evangelicals in Africa and the government of Angola is a model for the rest of Africa.’ He noted the positive impact of this partnership in areas such as health, community development, and education.
Remarks by the 3rd Vice President, Raul Lima
In response, the 3rd Vice President of the Angolan National Assembly, Raul Lima, welcomed the delegation, saying, ‘It is an honor to receive the General Secretary for Angola, Africa, and the world in this house of democracy.’ He explained that the National Assembly represents 220 deputies from five political parties and serves as a platform for discussing the key issues affecting the citizens of Angola.
Vice President Lima expressed his appreciation for the work of the evangelical community in Angola, congratulating the General Secretary of Angola for the church’s contributions. ‘The church has been a strong partner of the state, and we have witnessed its significant contributions in health, community development, and education,’ he said.
Echoing the General Secretary’s vision for unity, the 3rd Vice President stated, ‘We shall have the Africa that God wants if we are unified.’ He acknowledged Angola’s history of division but affirmed the country’s ongoing efforts toward reconciliation. ‘We have faced challenges, but we are making strides to reconcile our country,’ he shared.
Vice President Lima expressed optimism about Angola’s future, encouraging the General Secretary to take back to the continent the message that Angola is actively working towards creating the Africa God wants. ‘We are a religious nation, and God will give it to us because we deserve it,’ he concluded.
