Press Releases & Statements
- 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 […]
- Press Statement: The African Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 5 Jan, 2023 - Washington, DC - Today, the world celebrated the Funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square Rome. Over 200,000 visitors paid their respects to the late Pope Emeritus, who was a strong voice for Africa during his papacy and a true leader putting those he served above his title when he chose to step down from being Pope. During his Pontificate he convened the Second Synodal Assembly for Africa, he published Jesus of Nazareth which drew media attention for its mentions of Africa, and his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus which criticized the exploitation of Africa's resources and stressed the Church’s commitment to service, reconciliation, justice and peace for society and that it is the family that propagates the “culture of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation” (#43).
- Nigeria Press Release – Violence in our Homes: A Call to Urgent Action 14 Dec, 2022 - In response to this growing incidence of violence in our homes, the injustice against house helpers, and the violations of the rights of children, Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), and Dominicans for Justice and Peace (DJP) in collaboration with representatives of various religious congregations of sisters, Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON),and several non-profit organizations gathered from December 10–14, 2022, at the Daughters of Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre (DRACC) Enugu to learn, analyze, and reflect on this troubling issue under the theme: Violence in Our Homes: Tackling the Rising Incidence of Spousal Murders, and Abuse of Domestic Servants
- Cardinal Baawobr’s Passing Reverberates Throughout Africa and World 28 Nov, 2022 - Washington, DC - Today Vatican News announced the passing of Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr on November 27, 2022 in Rome. Cardinal Baawobr, bishop of Wa Ghana, and a member of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) was created cardinal on August 27th this year. In July he was elected President of The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa, and Madagascar. As Superior General of the White Fathers in Rome, Rev. Baawobr, expressed strong support for the mission of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), an organization which MAfr helped found in 1983. AFJN also had the honor of having Rev. Baawobr, MAfr, offer his reflections on ministry and deliver the keynote address on behalf of Cardinal Peter Turkson in 2013 for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of AFJN.
- PR: AFJN Announces New Board Leadership 27 Oct, 2022 - The Africa Faith and Justice Network’s (AFJN) Board of Directors has elected a new Executive and welcomed a new member.
- Press Statement: Organizations Tell Congress to Support the Amended ENABLERS Act 10 Aug, 2022 - Yesterday, the Africa Faith and Justice Network along with over twenty faith and nongovernmental organizations sent a letter to Congressional Leadership in support of the amended Establishing New Authorities for Businesses Laundering and Enabling Risks to Security (ENABLERS) Act. If passed, this Act “would help put an end to [enabling] practices by requiring [...] professional services to adopt AML procedures that can help detect, flag, and prevent the laundering of corrupt and other criminal funds into the United States” among other benefits, notes the letter.
- Press Release: The Africa Faith and Justice Network Urges Frank Discussions Ahead of Secretary Blinken’s Visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo 9 Aug, 2022 - Washington, DC - The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), a Catholic 501(c)3 organization, sent a letter to US Secretary of State, Antony John Blinken, ahead of his visit to Africa where Secretary Blinken is expected to make a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. In the letter, AFJN urged Secretary Blinken to hold frank discussions on “Rwanda’s violations of DRC’s territorial integrity, bad governance in the DRC”, and the role of the UN peacekeepers in DRC.