Bolsonaro invites Rio’s ex-mayor Marcelo Crivella to be Brazil’s ambassador to South Africa

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the South African government a document inquiring about the appointment.

President Jair Bolsonaro invited Marcelo Crivella (Republicanos), ex-mayor of Rio de Janeiro, to serve as Brazil’s ambassador to South Africa.

The invitation was made two months ago, after a meeting at the Planalto Palace, in Brasília. Crivella’s name must be approved by South African authorities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the South African government a document known as an “agreement,” a consultation signaling an appointment intention.

The information was confirmed by sources close to Crivella and his party, Republicanos. The document inquires whether the South African government has any reservations regarding the suggestion.

The appointment was perceived as a nod by Jair Bolsonaro to the Republicanos party, which is part of the president’s support base.

People linked to the party say that the evangelical bench was angered by the president’s omission with respect to the deportation of Brazilian missionaries from Angola last month. The appointment would be a way to try to contain the crisis.

The Republicanos party is linked to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), of which Crivella is a licensed bishop.

There was a dispute between Brazilian and Angolan bishops over the leadership of the church in Angola. The Angolans claim that the Brazilians have illegally sent money to Brazil.

The Angolan Attorney General’s Office is investigating the case, according to international agencies.

Crivella is the nephew of the main leader of the UCKG, Bishop Edir Macedo, and has lived in South Africa when he was a missionary.

The licensed bishop was mayor of Rio de Janeiro between 2017 and 2020, from where he was arrested on suspicion of corruption in the case known as Kickback HQ.

To become ambassador, the ex-mayor’s name must first be approved by the Federal Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee.

What the cited say

The UCKG says that the church in Angola is not under investigation and the bishops and pastors have had no access to the proceedings.

According to the note, the church in Angola is victim of a plot devised by a group of ex-officials expelled due to misconduct, in addition to attacks, invasions, lootings and fake news.

According to the UCKG, there has been no wrongdoing by the church or its bishops and pastors.

The ex-mayor and the Presidential Palace did not reply for comment.

Source: G1

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