Latest News
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The Nigerian Government Must End the Killings Without Delay!
On May 22, 2018, two priests and 17 parishioners who were gunned down on April 24th during morning Mass at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church in Mbalom were buried. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, consequently, called on all dioceses in Nigeria to organize peaceful demonstrations to urge the government to provide security without delay and…
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The Recent Mining Reform in D.R. Congo was Long Overdue
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has some of the world’s most plentiful natural resources. It holds the world’s second-largest river, has a benign climate and fertile land. Abundant deposits of copper, gold, diamonds, cobalt, uranium, coltan and oil are just some of the minerals that should make the DRC one of the world’s richest…
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AFJN Board Members remembered, Fr. Jim Noonon
Fr. Jim Noonon, Maryknoll Missionary from Vermont, died yesterday, May 7th, at the age of 83, from cancer. He was an extraordinary character — decent, empathetic, funny, humble, intelligent and strong. He served as the superior general of the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers from the late 1970s-early 1980s. After his stint as superior general, he…
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Can Rwanda win an economic war against the US?
President Paul Kagame believes that to grow the garment industry in his country, his compatriots should wear clothes made in Rwanda. However, this cannot happen without doing something about the competing multibillion dollar second hand clothes market which comes from the US and Europe. President Kagame threatened to ban all sales of second hand clothes…
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In the News: AFJN Exe. Director Aniedi Okure was on Straight Talk Africa
AFJN Exe. Director Aniedi Okure was on Straight Talk Africa
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Land and Human rights Activist, Pastor Omot Agwa Freed by Ethiopian Authorities
Pastor Omot Agwa Okwoy, the leader of Mekane Yesus Church, is a human rights defender of indigenous people living in the Gambella region of Ethiopia. He also advocates for the establishment and protection of national parks in rural parts of the country. After two years in detention, Pastor Omot was released on bail of 50,000…
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AFJN’s Jacquest Bahati’s article in Africa Revista on the Kivu Month of Blood
La crisi politica nella Repubblica democratica del Congo continua a peggiorare.
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AFJN’s Policy Analyst Jacques Bahati writes article on violence in DRC
On April 21st, 2018, Africarivista published an article titled “Kivu (DR Congo), one more month of blood and terror” by AFJN’s policy analyst Jacques Bahati.
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South African Oblate Priest Reflects on the Legacy of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
On April 2, 2018, Easter Monday, South Africa received the sad news that Ms. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela passed away. A ten-day mourning period was declared by the government and her burial was on April 14. I attended one of the many memorial services held in her honor in Orlando stadium in Soweto on April 11. (Among…
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From Impatience to Anger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The political crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to worsen. The constant expansion of ungoverned space has resulted in widespread violence carried out with impunity, notably in the provinces of Tanganyika, Ituri, Kasai, North Kivu, and South Kivu. Events include targeted and random killings as well as mass killing in the…
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Welcome to our Fall 2018 Intern, Amie Culver
Amie graduated in December 2018, with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at Oral Roberts University. Her interest in civic involvement has developed from a young age. For many years she had volunteered through programs like Feed The City, and interned under social workers for Boys and Girls Club/Salvation Army mentoring and working with distressed…
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AFJN Board Member Fr. Luigi Zanotto 1940-2018
Fr Luigi Zanotto, a Comboni Missionary, died in late March. Fr. Luigi was a zealous missionary who brought to his passion for justice and right relationships to both his pastoral ministry at St. Lucy’s Parish in Newark New Jersey as well as at the UN as the representative of Africa Faith & Justice Network (AFJN)…
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Is President Magufuli of Tanzania becoming autocratic?
Dr. John Pombe Magufuli became president of the republic of Tanzania on November 5th, 2015 after securing 58 percent of votes. Since he took the office of the president, many agree that he kept his promise of fighting poverty, corruption and healthcare problems facing the nation. He fired incompetent civil servants and used funds to…
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Now is the time: The battle against land grabbing carried to the arena of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Republic of Central Africa
Sr Elianna Baldi is a Comboni Missionary and the Coordinator of the AEFJN antenna in the Republic of Central Africa. She participated in the land grabbing conference in Côte d’Ivoire in November 2017 (Photo above). At the end of the conference, she took the battle against land grabbing to the Central African Episcopal Conference. She…
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Meet a Shining African woman entrepreneur
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu was born and raised in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. After graduating from college in 2005, Betelhem founded “SoleRebels”, a footwear Company. After five years of its establishment, the company became the fastest growing African footwear brand. It is also the first and only World Fair Trade Federation certified company and the first global…
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Annual Report: 2017 Activity Highlights & Updates
Dear Friends, Your outstanding support for the Africa Faith & Justice Network propelled us to new frontiers in Africa and in the United States. Our advocacy in Washington, education programs and outreach through the media grew stronger. Many young Americans participated in our internship program and were exposed to US-Africa policy issues and corporate intrusions…
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Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson trip to Africa
Ahead of his trip to Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Chad and Nigeria, Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson finally unveiled the long overdue “U.S.-Africa Relations: A New Framework” Below are some highlights from his speech today at George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia “The future of stability is dependent on security – the condition that is necessary…
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Is Zimbabwe During and After President Mugabe the same?
On February 28, 2018 the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing on “Zimbabwe after Mugabe”. Chipo Dendere, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor Amherst College was one of the witnesses. Here is an excerpt of her testimony: Challenges and opportunities in a post-Mugabe society In my…
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Ethiopian Prime Minster Hailemariam Dessalegn resignation as a prime minster and Chairman of the ruling coalition
On January15, 2018, the Ethiopian Prime Minster Hailemariam Dessalgn announced that he submitted his resignation as Prime Minster and Chairman of the ruling party. His resignation comes right after the release of well known journalists and political prisoners on February 14, 2018, as a result of violent demonstration in different parts of the country demanding…
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Message of the Catholic Bishops of South Sudan on the Occasion of the Holy Father’s Global Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and the World
23rd February 2018 “LET YOUR HEARTS BE TRANSFORMED” (Joel 2:13) (Downlad PDF) We, the Catholic Bishops of South Sudan, meeting in Juba from 21st to 23rd February 2018, express our gratitude to the Holy Father Pope Francis for calling the whole world to pray and fast for peace in South Sudan, DRC and other…
