We invite you to urgently pray for governments’ right across Africa after the month of February saw great political unrest in many nations.
Several Presidents resigned, Ethiopia called a State of Emergency, and large-scale protests against the government occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, resigned on the 14th following a string of corruption scandals that have followed the 75-year-old for much of his eight-year presidency. Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in on the 15th and has so far made optimistic promises to cut unemployment and revive the economy.
Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, also resigned and the country has gone into their second State of Emergency in two years. Desalegn’s resignation came after large protests held in the Oromia region shut down all traffic. Demonstrators demanded political reform and for the government to release an opposition leader from prison. All political protests have been banned for six months.
There are fears of political unrest in Zimbabwe following the passing of iconic Opposition Leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, on the 14th. Zimbabwe is expected to have a national election in four to five months, which will be the first national election in two decades that won’t feature Robert Mugabe or Tsvangirai on the ballot. There’s hope for great change in Zimbabwe.
On the 25th, security forces in Kinshasa surrounded churches and blocked roads to prevent Christians protesting against President Joseph Kabila. One protester was killed and two were injured in the event as live ammunition and tear gas were fired into the crowd outside of a major church in the capital. The protests come as Kabila has refused to stepdown as President following the end of his second term in office in December 2016.
AE will be carrying out evangelistic missions in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia later this year. AE’s stratified approach to evangelism not only focuses on salvations, but endevours to meet with political leaders to encourage social change.
Please continue to pray with us for the political sector in Africa. Please pray that the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will transform nations.