On August 1, 2024, Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, president of the Africa Central Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the Ethiopia Interfaith Council Annual General Meeting held in the large conference room of the Adwa Museum. He was accompanied by Nicole Stirling, vice president of the Stirling Foundation; President and Sister Cowley, leaders of the Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission; and Elie K. Twikala, public relations manager for the Africa Central Area.
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The general assembly, which brought together leaders from various religious denominations, served as a platform to reflect on and evaluate the activities of Ethiopia’s Inter-Religious Council. Speakers emphasized the importance of promoting dialogue, friendship and tolerance among different faiths to ensure peace and community cohesion. Additionally, the assembly provided an opportunity to express gratitude to all partners, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for their contributions and support in the council’s humanitarian and social initiatives.
Her Excellency Mrs. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Republic of Ethiopia, expressed her gratitude to the religious communities present at this assembly for their contributions to fostering peace in the country. She emphasized that without peace, development and prosperity are unattainable.
During the open times of the assembly, Elder Mutombo and his delegation met with the country’s religious, administrative and political leaders, including:
Abuna Hibrahim, General Manager of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, received a gift of land and a place of worship from the Church of Jesus Christ, in collaboration with the Stirling Foundation, for the Orthodox community in Utah. The Church provided the land while the foundation undertook the construction of the place of worship. The representative of the Orthodox Church expressed his gratitude for this generous gesture.
His Excellency Dr. Sh. Hadji Hibrahim Tufa, President of the Islamic Council of Ethiopia, engaged in a warm exchange on shared beliefs and values, expressing a mutual desire to establish a formal framework for collaboration on joint actions and initiatives aimed at strengthening the youth.
Mr. Mussie Hailu, Ambassador to the African Union for the United Religions Initiative-Africa, engaged in discussions centered on fostering peace and unity in Africa through the shared values of various religious organizations.
Mr. Like Tauhan Tagay Tadele Kesis, General Secretary of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia, received the Draft Memorandum of Understanding of Partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia from Elder Mutombo. They explored potential collaborations to strengthen the youth and involve youth of other faiths in the Young Single Adult conferences. Elder Mutombo also received a certificate and a trophy of recognition from the general secretary for the Church’s numerous contributions in Ethiopia.
His Excellency Alemayehu, Mayor of Bishoftu, received Elder Mutombo’s heartfelt condolences for the landslide disaster that claimed over 250 lives. They discussed potential contributions from the Church and the Stirling Foundation to assist the landslide victims and address other needs the city may present. This meeting allowed the mayor to gain a deeper understanding of the Church, and he has now committed to supporting its activities and those of its partners in Bishoftu.
Pastor Dereje Jemburu, Secretary General of the Council of Evangelical Churches of Ethiopia, emphasized the importance of supporting young people in their development and fostering community harmony. They also discussed the potential for the Church to contribute to the humanitarian efforts of the Evangelical churches.
Elder Mutombo met with His Excellency Binalf Andualem, the Minister of Peace, and Dr. Kairedin Tezera Adera (PhD), the Minister of State for Peace. During this meeting, Elder Mutombo announced that the Church had approved a donation of $300,000 to assist the victims of the landslide.
The Minister of Peace expressed deep gratitude on behalf of his ministry and the government for the support provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Ethiopian people. Reflecting on his visit to the Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, the Minister said, “I was very impressed by the humility of the members of such a great institution offering their time and their resources to others.”
Nicole Stirling, vice president of the Stirling Foundation, responded, "If we are humble, it is because we understand that everything we have comes from God."
In conclusion, Elder Mutombo reaffirmed to His Excellency, as he did to all other leaders he met during his stay in Addis Ababa, “Our goal is to foster the growth and development of individuals in Ethiopia.”