The Association of Pentecostal Churches in Rwanda (ADEPR), is once again in the spotlight a few months after the government intervened to resolve the wrangles that had rocked it.

Earlier this month, reports emerged that Ernest Mutwarasibo, the head of the churches governing committee, had resigned from his position at the end of July, for ‘personal reasons’ but on August 14, the association announced that he was forced to resign.

Mr Mutwarasibo was one of the new leaders installed at the end of last year when the government intervened to end the longstanding wrangles that had dogged the faith-based organisation.

ADEPR, which was established in 1940, is the third biggest religious group in Rwanda, bringing together over 1, 500 Pentecostal pastors with a congregation of over 1.5 million.

Over the past 19 years, ADEPR has been marred by misunderstandings which saw it break up into different factions.

READ: Pentecostal church tainted by corruption scandal

Since 2011, the Ministry of Justice intervened in the wrangles involving the then leader of ADEPR Samuel Usabwimana against the ‘opposition’ group led by Pastor Modesta Uwabimfura.

Last year, the government intervened and consequently Mr Usabwimana stepped down for Pastor Jean Sibomana.

However, according to sources, the recent resignation of Mr Mutwarasibo, which allegedly was a result of misunderstandings with Mr Sibomana, is an indication that ADEPR continues to be haunted by troubles.

Efforts to reach Mr Mutwarasibo were futile but Mr Sibomana said that Mr Mutwarasibo stepped down for “personal reasons”.

However through its Twitter account, the association said that Mr Mutwarasibo was forced to throw in the towel because he was involved in “wrong doing” which reflected badly on ADEPR in general.