Crises
AFJN Joins 131 Others Calling for Temporary Protected Status for the DRC
On November 9, 2023, AFJN was one of 131 organizations and leaders who sent a letter to President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Secretary Mayorkas calling for them “to designate the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) [due to the] escalating armed conflicts [that] have further aggravated a dire humanitarian crisis”.
AFJN in the News – Rogers on Voice of America’s Africa 54 on Niger Conflict
On August 10, 2023, Dr. Steven Nabieu Rogers, Africa Faith and Justice Network’s Executive Director, was interviewed by Esther Githui-Ewart in “Analysis: Niger President Mohamed Bazoum is Losing Resources in Detainment” on Voice of America’s Africa 54 program
ECOWAS Must Use Diplomacy Not Force to Restore Stability in the Republic of Niger
Today, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an emergency meeting to discuss the coup in the Republic of Niger (Niger). This meeting followed the unsuccessful August 8th attempt to send an ECOWAS’ tripartite delegation to meet with military authorities in Niger. Since the July 26 coup, ECOWAS has held several meetings “to deploy all measures in order to restore constitutional order in Niger” prior to using military force. The United States, while reluctant to declare a coup, has been in communication with the ousted President and the junta leaders hoping for a peaceful resolution and restoration of constitutional order.
Book Discussion on Who Are My People? Love, Violence, and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa
a virtual “Book Discussion on Who are My People? Love, Violence, and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa” on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 11:00 am EDT (US and Canada). This discussion will center around Emmanuel Katongole’s 2022 book Who are My People? Love, Violence, and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The online event is free but registration is required.
Faith-Based Organizations Tell Congress to Reauthorize PEPFAR
Yesterday, the Africa Faith and Justice Network along with over forty four national and international faith-based organizations sent a joint letter to Congress urging Members of Congress to reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) before the end of FY2023 (September 30, 2023). Since 2003, PEPFAR has saved millions of lives around the world by providing capacity strengthening to local health systems, increasing access to lifesaving medications, and supporting adults and children living with HIV/AIDS.
Unveiling Truth and Inspiring Change: Survivors Uncensored
Join Africa Faith and Justice Network, the Advocacy Network for Africa, Africans Rising, and American Friends Service Committee for a webinar on Friday, December 9th. Ahead of the US-Africa Leaders Summit, a sterling collection of deeply-experienced Africa experts will unpack the issues of Climate Injustice, Looming Famine, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Raging Wars. Individually and collectively, these emergencies are snuffing out African lives and inflicting serious pain and suffering.
A Diaspora Roundtable with Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Heath Ahead of the Sierra Leone Elections
On May 24, 2023, the Africa Faith and Justice Network, the Healey International Relief Foundation, and the National Democratic Institute cosponsored “A Diaspora Roundtable with Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Heath Ahead of the Sierra Leone Elections.” This virtual event provided prominent Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora (professionals, civil society and religious leaders, etc.) the opportunity to express their viewpoints, concerns and hopes to Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Heath ahead of his visit to the country.
Funding Gap Projected to Undercut Sub-Saharan African Growth Says IMF Report
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 14, 2023 Funding Gap Projected to Undercut Sub-Saharan African Growth Says IMF Report Washington,…
National Gathering & Lobby Day
Join us at Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2023, April 25-27, a virtual conference to worship, educate, and advocate for the innovative and courageous policies needed to realize God’s promise of peace. Our theme is “Swords into Plowshares: Achieving Enough for All & Pursuing Peace.”
Why The World should not forget the War in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
We now know that the DRC’s insecurity has external causes starting with its neighboring countries to the East. Rwanda and Uganda, have been accused of supporting armed groups in the DRC for their own political and economic interests, mainly fueled by international demand for DRC’s natural resources. According to S/2022/967, the Midterm Report of the UN Group of Experts published in December 2022, the United Nations has officially established that Rwanda is involved in a proxy war against the DRC in the guise of the M23 rebel group. Local and foreign armed groups have been fighting for control of territory and resources that include minerals, timber, and wildlife. This has resulted in gross human rights abuses and widespread insecurity, leading to the violent massacre of countless innocent lives and displacement of civilians.
Tackling Human Trafficking in Africa: Catholic Sisters Share Successful Advocacy Strategies
Join Africa Faith and Justice Network, the Advocacy Network for Africa, Africans Rising, and American Friends Service Committee for a webinar on Friday, December 9th. Ahead of the US-Africa Leaders Summit, a sterling collection of deeply-experienced Africa experts will unpack the issues of Climate Injustice, Looming Famine, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Raging Wars. Individually and collectively, these emergencies are snuffing out African lives and inflicting serious pain and suffering.
Crisis in the Congo: Voices From The Frontlines
Join the Africa Faith and Justice Network and Friends of the Congo for “Crisis in the Congo: Voices from the Frontlines” with Justine Masika and Pascal Mugaruka, recently arrived in Washington, DC from Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). They will provide firsthand accounts of the atrocities, displacement and occupation being carried out by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia. They will also share policy prescriptions that U.S. policymakers can implement in order to contribute to peace and stability in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Congo Peace Vigil: A Global Call for Peace in the Congo
Join us in solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a live-streamed gathering that will feature reflections from faith leaders, musicians, activists, renowned figures and ordinary people who have come together to demand an end to conflict and appeal for accountability and peace in the DRC.
Nigeria Press Release – Violence in our Homes: A Call to Urgent Action
In response to this growing incidence of violence in our homes, the injustice against house helpers, and the violations of the rights of children, Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), and Dominicans for Justice and Peace (DJP) in collaboration with representatives of various religious congregations of sisters, Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON),and several non-profit organizations gathered from December 10–14, 2022, at the Daughters of Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre (DRACC) Enugu to learn, analyze, and reflect on this troubling issue under the theme: Violence in Our Homes: Tackling the Rising Incidence of Spousal Murders, and Abuse of Domestic Servants
Sr. Eucharia Madueke’s Reflections on the Kenya Hilton Convening
The Africa Faith and Justice Network’s Sr. Eucharia Madueke, SNDdeN spoke on a panel about her advocacy training work coordinating the AFJN Women Empowerment Project in Africa. The multi-day event, which took place from October 26-28, 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya, brought hundreds of Catholic sisters from around the globe together to share and reflect on their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The event was sponsored by Conrad N. Hilton Foundation who funded over 250 organizations.
Ghana: A Chinese Fish Farm Project Turned Into a Nightmare
A fish farm project has turned into a nightmare for the people of Gbabgavuinu and Torgodo. Huawei Agriculture Development Center (HADC), a Chinese agriculture company registered in Asutuare in Eastern Region/Ghana, used heavy-duty equipment to build a T-shaped water wall to bank the water of a lagoon, which includes a small lake called Aklakpa. This created a fish farming pond that soon after flooded nearby farmland, destroying crops. The more it rains, the more it floods, threatening livelihoods and homes.When the community demanded compensation for what had been lost, HADC packed up and abandoned the project. Naturally, water from the lagoon drained into a stream that is an affluent of the Volta River.
Africa’s Intensifying Emergencies: To What Fresh Assistance will the US Commit?
Join Africa Faith and Justice Network, the Advocacy Network for Africa, Africans Rising, and American Friends Service Committee for a webinar on Friday, December 9th. Ahead of the US-Africa Leaders Summit, a sterling collection of deeply-experienced Africa experts will unpack the issues of Climate Injustice, Looming Famine, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Raging Wars. Individually and collectively, these emergencies are snuffing out African lives and inflicting serious pain and suffering.
Reforming the UN Security Council: Why it must be on the US-Africa Leaders Summit Agenda
The Africa Faith and Justice Network invites you to a discussion, “Reforming the UN Security Council: Why it must be on the US-Africa Leaders Summit Agenda ” Naledi Pandor, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa said that “It is unacceptable that 77 years after its establishment 5 nations wield disproportionate decision making power in the United Nations system as a whole.”
