Latest News
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A Change of the Guards in Somalia
By Beth Tuckey As Ethiopia continues its troop withdrawal in Somalia, the international community is holding its breath in hopes that the transition is peaceful. After two years of U.S.-backed occupation of Somalia, Ethiopia finally recognized that its presence could not deter the Islamist “threat” and that in fact, its actions have strengthened some of…
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Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference Condemns Mugabe
Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM, Spokesman for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, released a statement on December 18th calling for stronger action by South Africa and SADC (Southern African Development Community). In solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, the statement declares that “it is now time to isolate Mugabe completely and to remove all forms…
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AFJN Signs Statement of Policy Recommendations for Chad
This week, AFJN signed onto a policy statement providing recommendations for the incoming Obama Administration on the instability in Chad, particularly in relation to the situation in Darfur. The statement was drafted by Caring for Kaela, an international humanitarian NGO, and was signed by AFJN, Africa Action, and Refugees International. In sum, the statement recommends…
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AFJN Signs Statement of Policy Recommendations for Chad
This week, AFJN signed onto a policy statement providing recommendations for the incoming Obama Administration on the instability in Chad, particularly in relation to the situation in Darfur. The statement was drafted by Caring for Kaela, an international humanitarian NGO, and was signed by AFJN, Africa Action, and Refugees International. In sum, the statement recommends…
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The Scope of the Congo Crisis
With the renewed violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the number of victims continues to rise and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. On November 6th in Kiwanja, civilians were massacred by Laurent Nkunda and Rwandan troops in retaliation to an attempt by the Congolese armed resistance group commonly known as Mai Mai to…
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As Somalia Deteriorates, the US Seeks Control
Just when we thought the situation in Somalia couldn’t possibly get any worse, recent weeks have shown that Somalia will likely deteriorate further before stabilizing. From piracy to militancy to displacement and starvation of the local population, Somalia needs international attention more than ever before. Ethiopian troops who have been occupying Somalia since the U.S.-backed…
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Read Rocco’s Blog from West Africa
From November 2nd through December 2nd, Africa Faith and Justice Network’s Executive Director, Rocco Puopolo, s.x. visited Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to conduct research and interviews as part of AFJN’s Restorative Justice Book Project. Click here to read his “Restorative Justice in West Africa: Rocco’s Trip” BLOG!
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How is the Conflict in the Congo Linked to the Cassiterite Trade Boom?
The ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is essentially an economic war. The high demand for Congolese cassiterite (tin) and other natural resources has claimed millions of lives, displaced thousands, and transformed the Congo – particularly North and the South Kivu – into a crime scene (sexual violence against women, ethnic cleansing, torture, forced labor,…
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Swaziland Political Situation
19 November 2008, by Louis Ncamiso Ndlovu, Bishop of the Diocese of Manzini Some Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Master reprove your disciples,’ but he answered, ‘I tell you, if these keep silence, the stones will cry out.’(Luke 19: 39-40) 1. The Roman Catholic Church in Swaziland has been observing, for quite sometime…
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Nkunda Forces Capture Rumangabo Millitary Base, Firsthand Account of What Happened
Laurent Nkunda used and abused civilians to capture the military base of Rumangabo. Civilian abuse continues to be one of the biggest consequences and challenges of the ongoing crisis in eastern D.R.Congo. According to an AFJN contact in the area, Congolese citizens of all ages must serve the rebel soldier’s needs or face beatings and…
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No to the Third Invasion of the D.R. Congo by Rwanda
In Support of the Congolese people, Friends of the Congo, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Congo Global Action and En Avant Congo sponsored a vigil that was held in front of the Rwandan embassy in Washington DC on October 31, 2008, with the following message: “Since August, the Rwandan government has, for the third time, openly…
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What Does an Obama Presidency Mean for U.S. Africa Policy?
Within the African community, both in the US and on the continent, many have speculated about what an Obama presidency will mean for Africa. As the son of a Kenyan man with family still in Kenya, expectations tend to run high. Still, some have cautioned against such optimism, reminding us that Barack Obama will be…
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Oil and Human Rights Abuse: The Case Against Chevron
Due to its vast oil wealth, the Niger Delta remains a place of violence, instability, and injustice. For years, civilians on Nigeria’s coast have battled large oil companies such as Chevron and Shell Oil whose escapades in the region have cost Nigerians their lives and their environment. The fact that natural resources cause conflict is…
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Film: Resist AFRICOM!
Strong visuals have the power to mobilize. They have the power to educate and to change minds. It is our hope that with this film, you will become an organizer and an educator to stop this additional U.S. military’s exertion of power. Whether by forwarding the video to friends or by screening it at your church…
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Resolve Uganda Interviews Congolese Religious Leader About Recent LRA Abductions
Paul Ronan, Senior Policy Analyst at Resolve Uganda, conducted an interview with Fr. Benoit Kinalegu on October 2nd, 2008 concerning the recent LRA abductions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Click here to see the interview on Resolve Uganda’s blog. This morning, I interviewed Fr. Benoit Kinalegu, the President of the Dungu Catholic Diocese Justice…
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The End of the Beginning! Zimbawe’s New Government
After years of staunch political rivalry between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC-T) and Arthur Mutambara (MDC-C), a long anticipated power-sharing deal has been signed . The historic deal was signed under the auspices of SADC (Southern African Development Community) with Thabo Mbeki as the resolute middleman. The agreement covered a…
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The Weight of ‘Change’? AFRICOM and the Presidential Election
In many ways, the outward tone of US foreign policy toward Africa transcends partisanship. While policies concerning the Middle East and Asia are often highly politicised, developing countries in Africa and many in Latin America tend to receive similar public treatment from both Republicans and Democrats. This general trend is reflected in many of the…
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“The Weight of ‘Change’? AFRICOM and the U.S. Presidential Elections”
“The Weight of ‘Change’? AFRICOM and the U.S. Presidential Elections” Pambazuka News, article by Associate Director Beth Tuckey
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St. Catherine’s Academy and AFJN in the NY Times
Over the past year, AFJN has done everything it can to raise awareness of the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. From policy analysis to advocacy on Capitol Hill to speaking at events, we are working to ensure that the voices of the Congolese people are not lost. So when a teacher at a…
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“Bronx Students Aid War Victims in Congo”
“Bronx Students Aid War Victims in Congo” New York Times City Room article quotes Bahati Ntama and cites AFJN.
