Latest News
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Welcome to our Summer Intern, Jamie Vieson
Jamie Vieson is a senior at the University of Dayton, where she is double majoring in Human Rights Studies and Philosophy. She is also pursuing minors in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies. Through her studies, Jamie has developed a passion for human rights and women’s rights in particular. Last summer, as a member…
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Welcome to Our Summer Intern, Yashi Gunawardena
Yashi Gunawardena is a junior at Davidson College, where she is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Economics and History. Yashi is interested in US foreign policy in African and Middle Eastern nations. Working as a tutor for Syrian girls has made her especially passionate about refugee resettlement and women’s and girls’ rights. Last…
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Welcome to our Summer Intern, Kpakpo Serge Adotevi
Kpakpo Serge Adotevi is a senior at The American University in Washington DC, majoring in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and minoring in International Development. He is from Togo, West Africa and now lives in Columbia, Maryland. He has grown more and more interested in Africa’s political, social and economic affairs. He is particularly passionate about…
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Kenyan Man Doing His Part to Protect Local Wildlife
A Kenyan man has been driving numerous hours to Tsavo West National Park four days a week to deliver thousands of gallons of water to animals – elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and zebras – that would otherwise go thirsty. Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua, a pea farmer by trade, began doing this when he realized they had endured…
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Increased Recognition of Africa’s Female Entrepreneurs
AFJN is pleased to see successful African women increasingly receiving the recognition they deserve. In March, Forbes highlighted several female entrepreneurs whose stars are rising on the continent. In April, Google doodle honored late Ghanaian entrepreneur Esther Afua Ocloo who was an early advocate for women’s microfinance and the first female recipient of the African…
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Interview with Senator Florentin Mokonda Bonza, President of the Convention of Christian Democrats Party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In late March 2017, Senator Florentin Mokonda Bonza, member of the opposition, and Lambert Mende Omalanga, Minister of Information, took part in the Africa Faith & Justice Network’s (AFJN) information and advocacy efforts in Washington, DC, aimed at supporting the full implementation of the agreement brokered by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the…
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Reward for Whistleblowers in Zimbabwe
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is offering a 5 percent reward to whistleblowers reporting on individuals and businesses hoarding, selling or illicitly funneling cash out of the country, RBZ governor John Mangudya recently announced. Zimbabwe has been experiencing an acute shortage over banknotes since April last year, overwhelming banks and customers alike. Other efforts…
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Remembering Mr. Ahmed Kathrada, an anti-apartheid Advocate in South Africa
As we mourn the loss of Mr. Ahmed Kathrada, whom passed away this March, we take the time to remember his good works and devotion to end the apartheid in South Africa and the pursuit of upholding human rights and fighting against injustice. He left school at the age of seventeen to work for the…
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Pope Francis Travels to Egypt as a ‘Messenger of Peace’
One of Pope Francis’ intentions of going to Egypt is to be a “messenger of peace” as he meets with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar. The last time a Pope visited al-Azhar was Pope John Paul II in 2000. However, this is the second time the two leaders have met following el-Tayeb’s…
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Africa Stands With Refugees
Somalia’s Minister of Health, Mohammed Abdullahi, recognizes Ethiopia’s admirable position of accepting refugees and offering support while other countries are closing their doors to refugees. There are currently over 800,000 refugees in Ethiopia, making it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. As of February 28th of this year, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)…
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A Win for Kenya as Husband and Wife Win Paris Marathon
Husband and wife Paul Lonyagata and Purity Rionoripo both competed in the 41st Paris Marathon and won! Lonyagata came in first place at two hours six minutes and 10 seconds with his competitor coming in forty-six seconds behind. Rionoripo made a dash to a new record as she competed the race in two hours twenty…
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President of Tanzania Upholds Promise to Order an Audit of Mining Company
President John Magufuli upholds his presidential campaign platform promise to combat tax evasion as he orders an audit of the biggest mining firm in Tanzania. Mining equates to 3.5% of Tanzania’s GDP, and although this order halts the export of gold and copper by Acacia Mining, the president desires to ensure that the funds from…
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AFJN receives a $360,000 grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
On April 5th, 2017, Business Wire published an article titled “Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Awards More Than $15 Million in Grants in the First Quarter of 2017”.
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Reparations Granted to Victims of War Crimes in the DRC
In the midst of turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the stalled presidential elections, people can find a little bit of hope. Just last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) granted reparations to the victims of war crimes committed by former Congolese militia leader Germain Katanga. Katanga was found guilty of supplying his militia…
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ECOWAS Upholds Presidential Term Limits in Gambia Leading to the Election of Adama Barrow
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the support of the UN and the ECOMIG Forces, ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia, has successfully conducted operations without bloodshed to ensure democracy in Gambia. After former President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down in December 2016, Gambia and other democratic countries demanded a resolution. With…
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Join us for “Road to a Peaceful Democratic Power Transfer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Challenges & Opportunities”
On October 18, 2016 under the facilitation of the African Union, the coalition of H.E. President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and some members of the opposition signed an agreement on the way forward to elect a president who will lead the nation after his second term which ended on December…
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Welcome to our Spring 2017 Intern, Jacqueline Mullen
Jackie Mullen is a senior at The Catholic University of America, where she majors in International Relations. Having grown up all over the United States and abroad, she has cultivated a passion to combat both national and international issues. She is primarily concerned with the eradication of diseases, combating human rights violations, and promoting transparency. This…
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Urgent Call for action: Ask your Congressional Representatives to Preserve the Bipartisan Anti-Corruption law
The House and Senate are considering steps to get rid of an anti-corruption law which, when implemented, keeps U.S. taxpayers’ money previously used for anti-corruption programs in oil, natural gas and mineral-rich foreign nations here at home to benefit American citizens, among other things. You can read the full letter we sent to Congress here….
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Sr. Eucharia Madueke featured in Global Sisters Report on Women’s March in Boston
On January 27th, 2017, the National Catholic Reporter’s Global Sisters Report published a live blog titled “Women’s marches around the world”.
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Interview with Democratic Republic of Congo’s Information Minister H.E. Lambert Mende Omalanga
During his recent visit to the United States, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of information, H.E. Lambert Mende Omalanga briefed the Catholic Task Force for Africa (CTFA), a coalition of Catholic advocacy groups in Washington DC metro area. The briefing which took place at the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) office on…
