The call was made by the Brazilian minister himself, Carlos França, to the Angolan ambassador in Brasilia, Florêncio Mariano.
In a statement, the Brazilian government said that since the Brazilian Embassy in Luanda became aware of the "notification of deportation of the 34 Brazilian citizens," it has maintained "permanent contact with the Angolan authorities to ensure the proper consular protection, which was provided on each occasion when it was necessary.
According to the Ministry, on Tuesday night, nine of the 34 Brazilian citizens embarked for Brazil, in a process that took place in "tranquility", through "voluntary presentation", and took place in the "presence of two Brazilian consular officials, who accompanied the process throughout the day, providing full consular assistance".
"At the request of the Brazilian ambassador, the remaining Brazilians, who were unable to board on the night of 11/05 (Tuesday), were assured the right to await boarding at their residences," concludes the note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At issue is the deportation of Brazilian missionaries of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD).
The Brazilians of the IURD were notified in April to voluntarily leave the country for having ceased ecclesiastical activity in Angola and, consequently, see their visas of temporary stay canceled, following a letter from the new Angolan direction of the IURD.
The internal conflict in the UCKG had its beginning in November 2019, when a group of Angolan dissidents decided to distance themselves from the Brazilian direction, with several accusations, namely of currency evasion, racism, compulsory practice of vasectomy, among others, all rejected by the missionaries of the church created by the Brazilian Edir Macedo, who also accuse the Angolans of xenophobia and aggression.
In the Angolan courts, after the beginning of the differences between the parties, aggravated by the forcible takeover of temples all over the country, several lawsuits related to the UCKG Angola are underway.
A Reform Commission of Angolan pastors was legitimized by the Angolan State, and the new management of the UCKG, headed by Bishop Valente Bezerra, was elected in a general assembly on February 13.
