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We always encourage our members to speak out against unjust policies by writing letters, holding forums, hosting fundraisers, and using your creativity! Check out the “Get Involved” and “Toolkits and Resources” sections of the site to find out more about what you can do to promote peace and justice in Africa. Click here to look up your representative.
ACT Now!
Oppose the Kenya – US Bilateral Trade Agreement
AFJN joined other organizations in opposition to the Kenya-US bilateral trade agreement being negotiated by the Administration because the current agreement through the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act is worth keeping though not perfect, it contains a reversal of Kenya’s plastic export restrictions prohibiting dumping of plastic on the continent, and it the agricultural dumping of US products will negatively impact Kenya and neighboring countries markets including market expansion.
Restoring U.S. Funding of the WHO
On May 29, 2020, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the WHO and announced on April 14th that he would defund it. WHO funding is essential for Africa. AFJN with AdNA advocated Congress for continued participation in and funding for the WHO. The House of Representatives included WHO funding for 2021.
A Moratorium on Rents Increase During COVID-19
On May 8, 2020, AFJN sent a letter to Congressional Committees asking for a moratorium on rental increases. The stay-at-home orders were causing financial hardships and preventing tenants from shopping for competitive and more affordable housing. Many of those burdened were African migrants. To advance this policy we:
- We met with Representative Jamie Raskin (MD), Member of the National Coronavirus Response Committee, since he had implemented a similar measure in his own county and supported the idea.
- Created an action alert encouraging individuals to contact their representatives in support of moving legislation
Debt Forgiveness and the Issuance of Special Drawing Rights
Indebted nations, already heavily burdened before the pandemic, lacked resources to service their debts when COVID-19 hit. AFJN with our partners advocated the U.S. Administration and Congress, Europe, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for:
- Bilateral and multilateral debt forgiveness for African countries that included strong accountability measures.
- U.S. support of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) by the IMF to member countries in this time of crisis. SDRs were last used in 2009 during the global recession.
In addition, AFJN also mobilized African Ambassadors to support the above measures via letters and phone calls.