Latest News
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AFJN Supports an Informed Foreign Aid Reform
As part of the Presidential Study Directive on Foreign Assistance, initiated by President Obama at the end of August, the National Security Council has socilcited input from the NGO community on what U.S. development should look like. AFJN and several partner organizations signed the following statement expressing our position on how foreign aid does and…
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The Changing Face of Mission in Africa
By Rocco Puopolo, S.X., Executive Director As you read this very newsletter, a number of Bishops from Africa and around the world are meeting in Rome for the Second Special Assembly for Africa, commonly called the African Synod. The theme for this synod is The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace:…
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Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference Pastoral Letter on Healing and Reconciliation
Earlier this month, the Zimbabwain Bishops put out a powerful pastoral letter on healing and reconciliation in their nation, entitled “God Can Heal the Wounds of the Afflicted.” “Today, we all need healing from these hurts and from our guilt. This healing will facilitate reconciliation within and among ourselves and also with our Creator. With…
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U.S Ambassador to DRC on the Obama’s Administration Policies in Congo
During a panel discussion with the U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Bill Garvelink hosted by the Washington DC chapter of the Society for International Development, Ambassador Garvelink started by saying that President Obama’s administration fully understand that a stable Congo implies a stable Central Africa given the fact that it…
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Climate Change Action: Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis
October is shaping up to be an important month for action on climate change. Last week alone, President Obama indicated his support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to regulate and reduce carbon emissions from major U.S. industry polluters, and Senators Kerry and Boxer introduced their version of the House’s climate change bill to the…
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Clinton’s Visit: A New U.S.-DRC Relationship?
During her August trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saw her mission as the beginning of a new chapter in the U.S-DRC relationship. On August 11, 2009, in a private meeting with Congolese President, Joseph Kabila in Goma, Mrs. Clinton raised the following issues: army and police…
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Yes Africa Matters Website Launched!
Catholic Task Force on Africa announces the new websitewww.yesafricamatters.org. The Task Force uses the occasion of the Second Special Assembly for Africa, popularly known as the Second African Synod of Bishops, to offer this website. The Synod took place in Rome from October 4th to 25th in Rome. The theme of the Synod was “The Church in…
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D.R. Congo: A Call for Truth and Reconciliation
Justice in Democratic Republic of the Congo is mainly accessible to and protects the powerful, those who run the system, the politically connected, and the rich who influence decision making and can pay for years of trials. The poor and powerless are prosecuted and exploited with little or no hope except by subscribing to indigenous…
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D.R. Congo: A Call for Truth and Reconciliation
Justice in Democratic Republic of the Congo is mainly accessible to and protects the powerful, those who run the system, the politically connected, and the rich who influence decision making and can pay for years of trials. The poor and powerless are prosecuted and exploited with little or no hope except by subscribing to indigenous…
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Giving Voice to the Silenced Victims of Sexual Violence in the DRC
Women in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the silenced victims of a war that has lasted nearly 14 years. The number of victims grows daily as massive rapes have become a rampantly used weapon of war. At least 200,000 cases of sexual violence have been reported, but because some victims were killed by the attackers…
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Reflections on the Synod: Where to go from here?
By Rocco Puopolo s.x., Executive Director The Second Special Assembly of Bishops on Africa ended in Rome on October 25th. But the process continues, and the main agents are those who continue to commit time and talent to this Synod. Bishops from around the world gave more than 3 weeks of their time in Rome,…
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Letter From Congolese Elected Officials to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
TO MADAME SECRETARY OF STATE of USA, C / o U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, DR Congo. We, members of national parliament, elected representatives of the people of South Kivu, welcome your visit to our country and request that you convey our best wishes for success to the current tenant of the White House on the…
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Women of Wajir
In the early 1990’s, six women began a process that transformed much of the Wajir district in northeast Kenya. Attempting to cope with what was described as a “disaster waiting to happen,” these women formed a community-based approach to halting the violence. Their efforts should serve as an example to communities across the continent who…
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Toward the 2009 Africa Synod: An Interview with Fr. Pius Rutechura
AFJN recently facilitated Fr. Pius Rutechura’s visit to Washington, DC. He is the secretary general of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) which extends from Sudan to Zambia, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Fr. Rocco was able to interview him regarding the upcoming African Synod to be held in Rome from October…
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Voice of America: In Focus Features Bahati Jacques
Voice of America: In Focus Voice of America features comments of Policy Analyst Bahati Jacques
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The Control Arms Campaign
The proliferation of small arms remains a daunting challenge for the African continent; its persistence empowers rebel movements and national governments to foment conflict and commit mass human rights violations. Recognizing the supply and demand pressures for small arms, non-governmental organizations have resolved to act. Three years ago, Amnesty International, Oxfam and the International Action…
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Clinton visit to Congo: What are the Pressing Issues?
Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is expected to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to raise awareness on the sexual violence pandemic among other things during her 11 day trip to Africa. The solution to this problem which has been going on since 1996 is long overdue. The United Nation’s report S/2009/362 states that about…
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Obama Neglects U.S. Role in Africa
On Saturday, July 11th, President Obama made a major speech to the Ghanaian Parliament on U.S. engagement with the continent. His message was clear: good governance is a prerequisite to effective development and “Africa’s future is up to Africans.” AFJN applauds Obama’s strong stand against irresponsible African leaders, but also has concerns about the reality…
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Post-Conflict Burundi and the Role of Ubushingantahe Council
Written by Barbara Vi Thien Ho. The legacy and the contribution of Ubushingantahe institution to justice and peace in Burundi is undeniable. Through the turbulent times in Burundi, this institution was politicized and lost its credibility, but now Burundians desire its restoration as part of an effort to rebuild a new Burundi for all citizens. …
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BRIEFING BOOKLET On the Occasion of President Obama’s Trip to Ghana
In preparation for President Obama’s short visit to Ghana, Africa Faith and Justice Network joined with a coalition of Africa-advocates to produce a Media Briefing Booklet on key U.S.-Africa policy issues. Click here to view the booklet, produced by AFJN, the Institute for Policy Studies/Foreign Policy in Focus, Africa Action, TransAfrica Forum, the Association of…
