Justice
The Democratic Republic of the Congo 25 Years and Still No Lasting Peace
The world was shocked on February 22, 2021 when news of the ambush and killing of the Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hit the media. What the world, and many media outlets, failed to report is that crimes like these are hardly new. The killing of such a high profiled political appointment as Ambassador Luca Attanassio only brought attention to a crisis that the Congolese have been facing in this region for over 20 years despite the presence of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces. The high level of insecurity in this region of the DRC has been ongoing with the most recent events being the killing of Ambassador Attanassio.
Press Release: The Time to Act is Now – AFJN on Nigerian Bishops’ Letter “We Must Pull Back From the Brink of Collapse”
On February 23, 2021, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria issued We Must Pull back from the Brink of Collapse, a letter to the “People of Goodwill in Nigeria.” The Bishops acknowledged the ongoing crisis in the country and warned of a “looming collapse” and failure of the “Nigerian project” if things do not change. In the letter the Bishops’ address the “serious insecurity […] loss of lives and property” and the unwillingness for those in power to act to remedy the situation. Leaders must set the example to “seek a common purpose” and exercise their “political will.”
Press Statement: Africa Faith and Justice Network Applauds WTO Firsts in the Appointment of Nigerian Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General
The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) voted to appoint Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, from Nigeria, as Director-General beginning March 1, 2021. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is both the first African and the first female appointed to this position.
Africa Faith and Justice Network 2020 End of Year Report: Activities and Highlights
Read the End of Year Report and learn how the Africa Faith and Justice Network managed to further in our mission even amid the COVID Pandemic.
AFJN featured in Catholic Herald on Nigeria
On January 19, 2021, the work of the Africa Faith and Justice Network was in Valentine Iwenwanne’s article “Christians in Nigeria keep the faith amidst lingering insurgency and persecution” featured in Catholic Herald.
Press Statement: Coalition Urges Biden Administration to Have a Global Response to Covid-19
On Thursday, a coalition of dozens of organizations, including the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), sent a letter to President-Elect Joseph Biden urging him to support a global response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coalition Letter to President-Elect Joseph Biden for a Global Strategy to COVID-19 Pandemic
As groups that work on international humanitarian, development and labor issues, we were heartened to hear you announce that, as part of the future administration’s COVID19 response efforts, you are committed to strengthening U.S. global leadership to fight the pandemic.
A Call To Peace in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region
By Iman Mekonen Edited by Ntama Bahati The ongoing armed conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has displaced…
DRC President Speech Analysed by Mr. Emmanuel Sekiyoba – Video Premiere
Join AFJN as we premiere our video “DRC President Speech Analysed by Mr. Emmanuel Sekiyoba and Bahati Jacques.” They will discuss the Presidents November 6th speech and what is needed for the reforms mentioned to take place – It requires action from all
AFJN Welcomes New Fellow: Rev. John Bosco Lugonja
Please join us as we welcome Rev. John Bosco Lugonja to the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) as our newest fellow.
Tell Senate to Support a Global Strategy to fight COVID-19
To prevent and stop the global economy from further collapsing, as was the case in 2008, to protect further losses of U.S. jobs, and to save lives the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) is asking the Senate to support the issuance of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The SDRs are special bonds to member nations and SDRs do not cost the U.S. anything. We are also asking for debt relief and additional foreign aid to respond to humanitarian crises and COVID-19 related challenges.
Online Event 8/6/20: AGRA’s Failed Promises – Liberating our Agriculture
A recently released report by a coalition of German and African civil society groups, “False Promises,” shows that the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is failing on its own terms. Based partly on a research paper by Timothy A. Wise, the report underscores the destructive work of AGRA and similar models of agriculture in Africa.
Groups Representing Tens of Millions of Americans Applaud Passage of Amendment to Allocate Trillions in Relief to Crisis-Hit Developing Countries
The Africa Faith and Justice Network was one of several organizations calling on Congress to pass an amendment allocating trillions of additional dollars in relief to crisis-hit developing countries. Read the Press Release below:
AFJN featured in America Magazine on gender based violence work in Nigeria
On August 3, 2020, the work of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) in Nigeria was featured in America Magazine. In the article “The Catholic Church’s fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria” Patrick Egwu talks about the increased need for the government’s declaration of a state of emergency due to the protests following the rape and murder of a 22-year old student. The article features the work of AFJN to educate the local population, especially the youth via online workshops and radio programs. Egwu noted that this was made possible by funds covering the costs of the workshops and to pay for data for the youth.
The US is Not a Safe Haven for Foreign Human Rights Violators
The US has laws intended to ensure human rights abusers, like Correa, do not have a safe haven on its territory. Correa could face the death penalty or up to life in prison based on the guidelines of the 1994 Torture Statue. This statute requires for any person residing in the US, regardless of nationality, to be charged for torture abroad. Also, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 prevents criminals from seeking asylum. However, the most legally cut-forward way, majority of the time, for US officials to prosecute war criminals is through immigration violations. The ICE and the US Department of Justice Criminal Division actively work to prevent criminals from entering the US.
Press Release: Thousands protest nomination in defiance of stay-at-home orders in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Washington, DC – On thursday, thousands of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) citizens took to the streets in protest to the nomination of Mr. Ronsard Malonda to head the National Independent Election Commission (NIEC). In defiance of the government order forbidding protests due to the COVID-19 pandemic and organized by the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, the protesters came out in large numbers showing their disapproval of the system that had nominated Mr. Malonda who is currently the National Executive Secretary of the DRC NIEC.
Coalition to Dept. of State: Democratic Republic of Congo’s Judiciary Reforms are Unconstitutional
On June 30, 2020, the Africa Faith and Justice Network was one of the signers of the…
AFJN-Uganda on Jubilee Radio Talking About Domestic Violence Amid COVID-19
The Africa Faith and Justice Network Uganda Chapter of women religious have been talking about the domestic…
Join AFJN-Uganda Sisters on Jubilee Radio 105.6 Fridays (June 13-July 3)
Sisters in Uganda are using the radio to spread the message to end domestic violence. It has…
