2021 Burundi Special Annual Conference

Theme: Titus’ faith has proven to be true

Officiating bishop: Bishop Daniel Wandabula

Location: Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Gitega

Guests: The Rev. Sylvestre Bizimana, general secretary, Burundi National Council of Churches; Salvator Nizigiyimna, representative, Minister of Interior, Community Development and Public Security; and the Rev. Aloys Ningabira, legal representative, Friends Evangelical Church.

Church officials: Bishop Daniel Wandabula, resident bishop; the Rev. John Ntahoturi, legal representative; the Rev. Emmanuel Sinzohagera, deputy legal representative; and the Rev. Lazare Bankurunaze, bishop’s administrative assistant.

Delegates of The United Methodist Church’s Burundi Annual Conference met for a special session at St. Peter's Cathedral on April 17 to discuss and determine issues of church leadership. The bishop called the session after he received a letter from the Minister of Interior of Burundi regarding divisions in leadership between Ntahoturi, the church’s legal representative, and Sinzohagera, his deputy legal representative.

During the April 17 plenary session, 653 of the 662 delegates voted to remove Ntahoturi from office. The Revs. Emmanuel Sinzohagera and Lazare Bankurunaze were elected as the new legal representative and the deputy legal representative, respectively.

Because the conference lay leader walked out in protest of the elections, delegates removed him from office and elected a replacement, Dr. Mbazumutima Theodore.

In addition, because of protests by the Trust Committee chair and a few members, delegates asked them to resign from their responsibilities. They elected five new Trust Committee members: Reuben Ntamavyariro, chairperson; Felix Niyungeko, vice chairperson; Dr. Pacis Alarine Irambona; Anatolie Nicimpaye and the Rev. Cornelle Ruzobavako.

—Pepi Mbabaye, Burundi Conference coordinator