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APDESAM Annual Assembly in Nairobi

APDESAM Annual Assembly in Nairobi

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Saturday, February 21, 2026
On 16th February 2026, the Provincial Superiors of the English-speaking Comboni Provinces, together with Mozambique (APDESAM), gathered in Nairobi for their annual General Assembly. The participants came from South Africa, Malawi/Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Egypt/Sudan. Also present was Brother Alberto Lamana [in the picture], General Assistant in charge of the APDESAM macro-region. The meeting ended on 20th February.

From left: Fr Asfaha Yohannes Weldeghiorghis (ET – Ethiopia); Brother Alberto Lamana (General Assistant – Curia); Fr Schmidt Gregor Bog-Dong (SS – South Sudan);
Fr Opargiw John Baptist Keraryo (RSA – South Africa); Fr José Joaquim Luis Pedro (Mozambique); Fr Bwalya Andrew (MZ – Malawi-Zambia); Fr Wanjohi Thumbi Andrew (KE – Kenya); Fr Dalle Carbonare Diego (EGSD – Egypt-Sudan); Fr Kibira Anthony Kimbowa (U – Uganda); and Fr Jemil Araya Jemil (ER – Eritrea).

The meeting, which began on Tuesday, 17th February, immediately addressed with determination the specific issue of the merger of the Provinces, in order to respond more effectively to today’s missionary needs.

The second day opened with the Eucharistic celebration of Ash Wednesday. The participants then returned to the assembly hall to continue their discussion of the various items already defined and scheduled on the agenda. The day was devoted to listening and reflection. Each Provincial Superior presented the current situation of his Province. A shared resolve emerged very clearly: despite the different challenges faced by each Province, all are committed to remaining faithful to the Comboni charism. The future is therefore viewed with hope, trusting in the grace of God who guides and inspires us.

On the third day, the participants listened to the reports of the Director of the New People Media Centre, a joint initiative of the provinces. Through the New People Media Centre, Comboni Missionaries in Africa and beyond promote evangelisation, missionary animation and human development.

This was followed by a presentation from the President of the Comboni Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship (CASE), a project of the Comboni Missionaries in Africa aimed at promoting new social enterprises that respond to local social issues and challenges through initiatives generating economic, social and environmental benefits. This session served as a valuable and wide-ranging brainstorming opportunity — a moment of exchange and planning — on how the merger of the Provinces will operate in practice.

On the fourth and final day of the meeting, the participants concluded their work by electing the new leadership team. The new team — led by Father John Opargwi, re-elected as Coordinator — will continue to oversee the process of merging the Provinces within the macro-region, seeking not only to improve governance efficiency, but also, and above all, to strengthen and further qualify the missionary work of the Comboni Missionaries in the region.

Father Andrew Bwalya, mccj