Press Releases & Statements
- Press Release: AFJN Calls on Congress for US Action Against Rwanda’s Violation of Territorial Integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo 31 Jan, 2025 - Washington, DC - On January 31, 2025, the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) issued a call to action, sending a letter “Urgent Call for U.S. Action Against Rwanda’s Violation of DRC’s Territorial Integrity” to the United States (US) Secretary of State, and members of Congress. The letter appeals for immediate U.S. intervention to alleviate the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), sparked by worsening hostilities between the DRC armed forces and the Rwandan army allied to the M23 armed group. This crisis has intensified following M23’s takeover of Goma and expansion into South Kivu, prompting AFJN to warn of a looming “grave and humanitarian crisis” if the U.S. does not act.
- AFJN’s Urgent Call for U.S. Action Against Rwanda’s Violation of DRC’s Territorial Integrity 31 Jan, 2025 - We are writing to bring to your attention the grave humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Rwandan government has been violating the country’s territorial integrity. The Rwandan military has been using the March 23 (M23) rebel group, a Congolese Tutsi-led movement, to occupy key areas, including the recent occupation of North Kivu capital, Goma on January 23, 2025. This is the latest in a series of violent aggressions since M23 resumed its armed conflict against the DRC in early 2022.
- Press Statement – AFJN Urges President Trump to Uphold Commitments 19 Jan, 2025 - On January 20, 2025, (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day) President-elect Donald Trump is expected to be sworn into the Office of the President of the United States (US) of America as the 47th President. Many in the African and immigrant communities have expressed concern around President Trump's immigration priorities and global policies. Ahead of the Inauguration, Dr. Steven Nabieu Rogers, Executive Director of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (a Catholic nonprofit organization focused on US-Africa policies) issued the following statement, in the hope that President Trump will assuage some of these concerns during his Inaugural Address:
- Press Statement – Direct Filing Here to Stay with an Invitation for States to Join 4 Jun, 2024 - On May 30th, “U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Announce Direct File as Permanent Free Tax Filing Option, All 50 States and D.C. Invited to Join in Filing Season 2025” in their press release. The Africa Faith and Justice Network, was one of the 256 organizations who signed the Coalition for Free and Fair Filing’s letter calling to expand and make permanent the IRS Direct File.
- 2023 AFJN End of Year Report: Activity Highlights & Activities 1 Mar, 2024 - Read the Africa Faith and Justice Network's 2023 End of Year Report: Activity Highlights & Activities
- AFJN Urges Senegal Government to Honor February Election Date 7 Feb, 2024 - The Africa Faith and Justice Network urges Senegal's President Macky Sall to honor the original election date of February 25, 2024.
- ECOWAS Must Use Diplomacy Not Force to Restore Stability in the Republic of Niger 10 Aug, 2023 - Today, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an emergency meeting to discuss the coup in the Republic of Niger (Niger). This meeting followed the unsuccessful August 8th attempt to send an ECOWAS’ tripartite delegation to meet with military authorities in Niger. Since the July 26 coup, ECOWAS has held several meetings “to deploy all measures in order to restore constitutional order in Niger” prior to using military force. The United States, while reluctant to declare a coup, has been in communication with the ousted President and the junta leaders hoping for a peaceful resolution and restoration of constitutional order.
- Faith-Based Organizations Tell Congress to Reauthorize PEPFAR 23 Jun, 2023 - Yesterday, the Africa Faith and Justice Network along with over forty four national and international faith-based organizations sent a joint letter to Congress urging Members of Congress to reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) before the end of FY2023 (September 30, 2023). Since 2003, PEPFAR has saved millions of lives around the world by providing capacity strengthening to local health systems, increasing access to lifesaving medications, and supporting adults and children living with HIV/AIDS.
- A Diaspora Roundtable with Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Heath Ahead of the Sierra Leone Elections 26 May, 2023 - On May 24, 2023, the Africa Faith and Justice Network, the Healey International Relief Foundation, and the National Democratic Institute cosponsored "A Diaspora Roundtable with Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Heath Ahead of the Sierra Leone Elections." This virtual event provided prominent Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora (professionals, civil society and religious leaders, etc.) the opportunity to express their viewpoints, concerns and hopes to Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Heath ahead of his visit to the country.
- Funding Gap Projected to Undercut Sub-Saharan African Growth Says IMF Report 14 Apr, 2023 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 14, 2023 Funding Gap Projected to Undercut Sub-Saharan African Growth Says IMF Report Washington, DC – Today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released the “Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa Report: The Big Funding Squeeze” during the IMF Spring Meetings. The report follows Tuesday’s release of “The World Economic Outlook: A Rocky […]