“Be strong, and be courageous!” This was God’s command to Joshua as he took up the leadership of God’s people, and it is the advice of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia to a new general secretary and officers of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC).
Dr. Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, preached during the Maputo assembly’s closing session on Friday 12 December. His remarks followed the formal induction of AACC officers including the incoming general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Andre Karamaga of Rwanda.
Earlier, the plenary featured a speech by South African former president Thabo Mbeki. Dr Kobia affirmed the world leader “in his very difficult task” of negotiating an end to the Zimbabwe crisis. Mr. Mbeki has been entrusted with this responsibility by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Dr Kobia noted some members of the week-long AACC assembly have called for the removal of Robert Mugabe as president of Zimbabwe. “This is not because we love Mugabe less,” he told Mr. Mbeki, “but because we love the suffering people of Zimbabwe more.” He added, “Peacemaking requires patience and perseverance. It must be a shared responsibility, and churches are well situated to help.”
