WCC concludes Zimbabwe solidarity visit, calls for Christian unity and human rights

During closing remarks at the Zimbabwe Council of Churches 48th General Assembly on 24 June, Pillay said he was pleased to respond to the call for a solidarity visit to the country. 

“We had great opportunities to speak with church leaders, civil society, government, and many other stakeholders to gain deeper insight into the situation in Zimbabwe,” said Pillay. “We were impressed with the work and witness of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches with their many programmes, prophetic witness, and pastoral ministries.”

The assembly convened 22-24 July under the theme “Breaking Walls: Discerning the Signs of the Times.”

Pillay reiterated the WCC’s commitment to pray, walk, work, and witness with the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and the people of Zimbabwe. “We encouraged them to also address issues within so that they can be living examples of what the church preaches,” he said. “Christian unity is imperative in these challenging times as we proclaim Jesus Christ to the world and in Zimbabwe.”

Later that day, Pillay met with Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, to discuss the independence of the judiciary, access to justice, and the protection of the rights to freedom of expression, religion, peaceful assembly, and protest. They also addressed broader human rights concerns and the government’s efforts to respond to them, with particular attention to gender-based violence.

“We discussed the processes of constitutional amendments in relation to the extension of the president’s term of office and process, and the provisions for public participation and democratic space,” said Pillay. “We reflected on the disrespect for international law and how Zimbabwe is addressing this now that the nation participates in the UN Security Council.”

During the time in Harare, the delegation also met with the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as officials from the Zimbabwe Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Accompanying Pillay, the delegation included Rev. Dr Suzanne Matale from Zambia, representing the All Africa Conference of Churches general secretary; Rev. Dr Hanns Lessing, executive secretary for Theology, Communion and Ecumenical Relations of the World Communion of Reformed Churches; Rev. Mzwandile Molo, South African Council of Churches general secretary and current chair of the Fellowship of Church Councils in Southern Africa, and Dr Masiiwa Gunda, WCC programme executive and Ecumenical Institute at Bossey adjunct professor.

Photo gallery

WCC delegation meets with President of Zimbabwe (WCC news release, 23 July 2026)

In Zimbabwe, “the church cannot retreat into private spirituality” (WCC news release, 22 July 2026)

WCC to lead solidarity delegation to Zimbabwe (WCC news release, 14 July 2026)