Latest News
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Should Carnegie Mellon University partner with Paul Kagame despite his criminal record?
In a letter to Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) President, Mr. Jared L. Cohon, African Great Lakes Coalition writes: If CMU is genuinely invested in sustainable peace and development in Rwanda, and if it is determined to cultivate a relationship with Kagame, we are insisting on greater caution and responsibility. We urge you to make your…
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Human Rights Advocates Denounce CMU’s Collaboration with President Kagame
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContacts: Rebecca Cech (412) 736-9889 Jeffrey Cech (724) 880-4371The Pittsburgh City Council advised caution in US support of Kagame’s government, but Carnegie Mellon University invites Rwandan president to begin a privileged relationship with the university, ignoring both local concerns and international charges against him.Wednesday, September 13, 2011 (Pittsburgh, PA) — On Friday, September 16,…
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Walikale Civil Society NGO felt the need to express its views regarding conflict minerals from eastern DRC and recent criticism in the news of Dodd-Frank Act.
By Bureau of Study, Observation, and Coordination of the Regional Development of Walikale (BEDEWA) Where does civil society stand? It is divided. A large chunk of civil society has strayed from the traditional vision and mission of civil society. It has committed to supporting and defending the interests of mining companies and mining operators. And…
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D.R. Congo Human Rights NGOs urge Parliament to pass specialized Court bill
To the Honorable Chairman and Honorable Members of Senate’s Political, Administrative, and Judicial Commission (PAJ) RE: The PAJ Commission review of the draft bill on the specialized Court Honorable Chairman, Honorable Members of Senate’s Political, Administrative, and Judicial Commission, Human rights organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) noted with satisfaction the inclusion of…
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US Conflict Mineral Law Opens the Door to Peace in the DRC
In recent weeks a debate has emerged over the merits of the conflict minerals provision in the Dodd-Frank Act. Critics of the legislation assert that the provision and those groups supporting it are responsible for causing damage to the people and communities of eastern Congo. Specifically, David Aaronson’s New York Times op-ed ‘How congress devastated Congo’ –…
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End U.S. Military and NATO aggression in Libya, says Coalition
Below is a clip from a press release discussing a recent NGO statement calling for ceasefire in Libya. AFJN was instrumental in the creation of this statement in its work with ADNA, among others, to come together in one voice and demand a peaceful, political solution to what has become a violent stalemate. Major National Organizations…
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Tanzania and the Economics of Minerals
This article is from our April-June edition of Around Africa, by Sebastien Porter, Intern Even though tensions occur every election cycle, for two decades now Tanzania has enjoyed a relatively peaceful transfer of power, a sign of a democracy-in-the-making. Different political views are represented and expressed through a stable multi-party system. According to Revenue Watch Institute, over…
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Take action against impunity in the D.R. Congo today
The widespread impunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and lack of accountability for crimes detailed in the UN Mapping Exercise Report is appalling. Seeking peace, stability and justice in the Congo is not only in the best interest of every nation in the region, but also in line with American democratic values. Impunity…
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Crisis in the Congo – Uncovering the truth
This film by Friends of the Congo answers questions such as why the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was invaded and why it is a weak nation. Foreign interests, Congo neighboring nations in particular, and some selfish Congolese leaders have a lot to do with the crisis in the Congo.
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Male rape in armed conflict widespread and under reported
The time to break the silence about male rape during armed conflict is long overdue. In the film “Rape Against Men”, a Refugee Law Project , shows that there is in fact a widespread male sexual violence that men are victims of in the war torn Africa’s Great Lakes region. Unlike rape against women, very…
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Memorandum from civil society on free, transparent and democratic elections
Translated from French by Bahati Jacques (PDF) Lisez la version française ici Watch Crisis in Congo. Uncovering the Truth and listen to “La politique américaine et la crise au Congo” I. FOREWORD The elaboration of this memorandum was initiated by the African Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ASADHO) , which invited several other civil society…
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Horn of Africa: story of a tragedy predicted?
By Hervé Cheuzeville and translated from French by Bahati Ntama Originally published by Echo D’Afrique (Read it here) The situation in the Horn of Africa is tragic. However, truth must be told about it. Even though this situation has been worsened by an exceptional drought, it especially has been caused by humans. As long as…
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Ethnicity in Africa: a road to conflict or a path to peace?
When analyzing conflict in African, many experts consider ethnicity as a major cause of conflict, but few consider it as a potential tool for lasting peace. Past and ongoing crises in Africa like the Rwandan genocide, the crisis in Darfur, the civil wars in Nigeria, the quarrels between the whites and blacks in Zimbabwe or…
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Africa and Madagascar Bishops Seek Observer Status at the African Union
This article is from the April-June issue of Around Africa, AFJN’s quarterly newsletter. The Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) reaffirmed its commitment to seek observer status at the African Union (AU) during its meeting in March 2011, in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). …
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Arms control: what was done and what needs to be done
By Alyse Martin Arms’ trafficking in Africa is an issue that should be monitored. Wars in African countries are fought with the illicit small arms that are smuggled in from across the globe. According to the UN, access to illegal arms in African nations, “fuels conflict, contributes to poverty, and stalls development.” The use of…
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Conflict Minerals: Responsible supply chain and sourcing mechanism a must
From June 20-21st, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) and Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) organized a conference on extractive supply chain which focused mostly on tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. The conference was intended to provide information and updates on responsible supply chain,…
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The Church Responds in Kenya
Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Kenya: “We the Bishops of Kenya, with deep concern wish to address all our Christians and Kenyans in general, at this critical and crucial moment of our country. We have witnessed with deep sorrow and concern the outbreak of violence and the breakdown of law and order that has…
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Making the Case for Africa Together
One of the strengths of having the headquarters of the Africa Faith and Justice Network in Washington, DC is the opportunity to collaborate with other progressive Africa groups that follow the many issues that call for education and advocacy. One such gathering is the monthly meeting of the Advocacy Network for Africa (ADNA). This long…
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A Panel Discussion with Dr. Denis Mukwege, Panzi Hospital, DRC
On Thursday, June 30, Africa Faith and Justice Network staff and interns attended a panel discussion at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars entitled “Sexual Violence and the Political and Security Implications in the Congo.” Panelists included Maria Otero, the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Dr….
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Extractive Industries in Chad
On June 15th AFJN had the pleasure of attending an event featuring Delphine Djiraibe, a prominent human rights activist in Chad. Her talk, along with input from other organizations, shed light on current conditions in Chad as a result of predatory extractive industries and what US policy and advocacy can do about it. When the…
