Latest News
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Conflict Free Tin Initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Press statement BRUSSELS – Sept. 18, 2012 – Industry partners convened by the Dutch government today announced their intention to start a conflict-free tin sourcing program in South Kivu, an eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This happened during the GeSI and EICC Conflict-Free Minerals Workshop attended by over 175 stakeholders representing…
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US deploys forces to Libya after the killing of Ambassador John Christopher Stevens
On September 12, 2012, in response to an attack on our diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four U.S. citizens, including U.S. Ambassador John Christopher Stevens, a security force from the U.S. Africa Command deployed to Libya to support the security of U.S. personnel in Libya. Read the full White House press release http://org.salsalabs.com/o/1552/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=12144.
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The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Reconciliation
During the tenth Anniversary Celebration of Global Peace Imitative for women (GPIW) in Kenya in March 2012, much was said regarding the need for forgiveness and reconciliations between people in nation with a history of violence. Below is an exurb on this topic from GPIW’s report entitled “Awakening the Healing Heart.” (Source: www.gpiw.org) Dr. Celestin…
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The way forward after the death of Ethiopia’s Strongman
After months of speculation about his fate, Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi died the night of August 20, 2012. World leaders have highlighted the magnificent of the economic development that Ethiopia achieved under his leadership. However, human rights groups remember Prime Minster Zenawi’s government as “repressive regime”. US President, Barak Obama, former British Prime Minister,…
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Congolese People Vs Industry Lobbyists: U.S Securities and Exchange Commission finally released the rules
by Bahati Jacques On August 22, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted the long overdue rules on section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 2010 regarding the use of conflict minerals originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. The rules require that…
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US-Africa Parish Twinning
For five years St. Anne Catholic Church in Barrington, IL (Diocese of Chicago) and Rugari Parish in DR. Congo (Diocese of Goma.) partnered and together they have made a difference. in 2012 Paul and Adrienne Kalmess, members of the justice and peace office at St. Anne Parish visited the community they have helped during the…
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The First Ever US Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally
On August 10, AFJN Executive Director, Rev. Aniedi Okure, was invited to the White House for the official launch of the first ever “United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally”. The strategy calls for a concerted effort from several government agencies to prevent and respond to gender-based violence from a multifaceted…
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Western Countries Raise Pressure on President Kagame of Rwanda
On August 3rd, members of the US House of Representatives sent a letter to Rwandan President Paul Kagame saying that: “[t]he conflict in eastern Congo and Rwanda’s role in it deeply troubles many Members of Congress.” This comes after UN experts reported that there is a network of high ranking Rwandan army officials supporting the rebel group…
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U.S. Legislators’ letter to President Kagame urging him to stop destabilizing the D.R. Congo
August 3, 2012Dear President Kagame: We are writing as a bipartisan group of legislators to express our deep concern about the recent and growing conflict in eastern Congo. The conflict in eastern Congo and Rwanda’s role in it deeply troubles many Members of Congress. We believe the continuing unrealized potential of the peoples and countries…
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Questions about the Obama Administration’s Sub-Saharan Africa Policy
On July 30, 2012, a team of AFJN staff; Executive Director, Fr. Aniedi Okure, Policy Analyst Jacques Bahati and interns Rubea Stouppe and Ashagrie Abdi were among those invited to the White House to discuss President Obama Administration’s “Strategy Towards sub-Saharan Africa.” On the panel were Grant Harris, Special Assistant to the President and Senior…
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Militarization without Boots—or Conscience: US Drones across Africa
Whereas formerly the continent of Africa was merely a tactical jumping-off point for access to the Middle East, now it is fast becoming a battlefield in its own right. The name of the strategy? Counter terrorism. The secrecy of US militarism in Africa is no secret at all. Africans are aware of the new reality: AFRICOM has been flooding the Sahel and Central…
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African Woman Leaders
Liberian President — Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf — The first female president of Liberia and Africa’s first female head of state, she was elected in 2005 and re-elected in 2011. She served as Minister of Finance, and is one of three women awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” Malawian President — Joyce…
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Comprehensive and Inclusive Step Required to end the Crisis in Somalia
By Ashagrie G. Abdi, AFJN Intern This article was first published in our April-June Newsletter After the downfall of Zaid Barre, Somalia’s President from 1969-’91, the struggle for power resulted in a civil war that claimed many lives. According to some reports, an estimated 350,000-1000,000 Somalis have died as a result of conflict, drought and…
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US Department of State finally acted to force Rwanda to stay out of Congo’s internal affairs
This arm twisting against Rwanda is in accordance with US Public Law 109-456, “The Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006”, Section 105 which says: “The Secretary of State is authorized to withhold assistance made available under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), other…
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AFJN Featured in San Francisco Bay View: National Black Newspaper
On July 7, 2012, the Africa Faith and Justice Network was mentioned in Mary Ratcliff’s article “U.S. cuts aid to Rwanda for destabilizing Congo” featured in the San Francisco Bay View: National Black Newspaper. To read the full article click below:
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Hazardous Waste Dumping in Africa
As concerns over environmental issues on the African continent gain attention around the world, the problem of foreign companies dumping their toxic waste wherever they feel like has come to light. This dumping takes many forms: donations of pesticides that are actually expired, illegally dropped containers of chemical waste offshore, or even sending broken electronics…
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“A little office that reaches a continent”
AFJN in the National Catholic Reporter under the headline “A little office that reaches a continent” (July 20, 2012). Read it here http://ncronline.org/news/global/little-office-reaches-continent
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Africa does not need foreign aid, but reforms
In his articles The Smart Way to Fight Corruption, George B.N. Ayittey, Ph.D. shines light on the enormous amount of cash that African leaders have stolen from the people; General Sani Abacha of Nigeria $20 billion, President H. Boigny of Ivory Coast $6 billion, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria $5 billion, President Mobutu of Zaire $4…
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D.R. Congo Crisis: look inside for a solution
On July 11th, 2,021 government officials from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to find a solution to the armed struggle between the M23 rebels and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national army. The delegates asked, among other recommendations, for a neutral force to be sent along…
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Shout out to the Foothills School of Arts and Science in Boise
For more than two years students at Foothill School of Arts and Science in Boise, Idaho have been learning about the connection between the minerals in some of their favorite technological gadgets and the conflict that has been going on in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impact it has on Congolese people…
