Democratic Republic of the Congo
AFJN’s Urgent Call for U.S. Action Against Rwanda’s Violation of DRC’s Territorial Integrity
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.
AFJN Launches ‘Unity Through Diversity’ Peace Project in Eastern Congo
In August 2024, the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) launched the “Unity Through Diversity” peacebuilding project…
Building Lasting Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo: The Role of Music in Promoting Ethnic Diversity and Unity
Background The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has long been afflicted by ethnic-based violence, particularly in its…
Peace First Concert in Goma/DR Congo
On June 19, 2024, AFJN partnered with Aimable Mugisha and his music band, Amahoro Youth (Youth for…
In the News: Jacques Bahati on WPFW 89.3 FM
On May 29, Africa Faith and Justice Network Policy Analyst Jacques Bahati was on “The Centrality of Congo to Black Liberation” on WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington, DC.
2023 AFJN End of Year Report: Activity Highlights & Activities
Read the Africa Faith and Justice Network’s 2023 End of Year Report: Activity Highlights & Activities
Crisis in the Congo: Voices From The Frontlines
Join the Africa Faith and Justice Network and Friends of the Congo for “Crisis in the Congo: Voices from the Frontlines” with Justine Masika and Pascal Mugaruka, recently arrived in Washington, DC from Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). They will provide firsthand accounts of the atrocities, displacement and occupation being carried out by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia. They will also share policy prescriptions that U.S. policymakers can implement in order to contribute to peace and stability in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
AFJN Women Leaders Changing Structures of Oppression
In our ministry, we celebrate the strength and power of women worldwide, and send a resounding shoutout to the important role of Catholic nuns whose tireless passion for social justice has helped advance the rights of women in Africa for 40 years.
Congo Peace Vigil: A Global Call for Peace in the Congo
Join us in solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a live-streamed gathering that will feature reflections from faith leaders, musicians, activists, renowned figures and ordinary people who have come together to demand an end to conflict and appeal for accountability and peace in the DRC.
End it Now: Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo Crisis
The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) is hosting an online event on the ongoing Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Crisis. The event “End it : Rwanda-DR Congo Crisis” on August 25, 2022 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET will feature voices from the DRC who will provide updates and analysis. The panelists will also examine the role of the international community in the more than two decades long crisis. The event will also feature Q&A from the audience where audience members may speak and submit their comments on Zoom. This online event is free and open to the public.
Press Release: The Africa Faith and Justice Network Urges Frank Discussions Ahead of Secretary Blinken’s Visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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.
AFJN Letter to US Secretary of State for Lasting Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ahead of your August 2022 meetings with leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) (a non-partisan coalition of 28 US-based religious communities) urges frank discussions on the following issues: Rwanda’s violations of DRC’s territorial integrity, bad governance in the DRC, and reasons why the UN peacekeepers should leave.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo 25 Years and Still No Lasting Peace
The world was shocked on February 22, 2021 when news of the ambush and killing of the Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hit the media. What the world, and many media outlets, failed to report is that crimes like these are hardly new. The killing of such a high profiled political appointment as Ambassador Luca Attanassio only brought attention to a crisis that the Congolese have been facing in this region for over 20 years despite the presence of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces. The high level of insecurity in this region of the DRC has been ongoing with the most recent events being the killing of Ambassador Attanassio.
Communiqué de presse: Des Milliers de Manifestants Protestent Contre la Nomination de Malonda au Mépris des Ordres de Rester à Domicile en République Démocratique du Congo
Washington, DC – le Jeudi 9 Juillet 2020, des milliers de citoyens de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) sont descendus dans la rue pour protester contre la nomination de M. Ronsard Malonda à la tête de la Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI). Au mépris de l’ordre du gouvernement interdisant les manifestations en raison de la pandémie de COVID-19 et organisé par l’Union pour la Démocratie et le Progrès Social (UDPS), les manifestants sont sortis en grand nombre montrant leur désapprobation du système qui avait nommé M. Malonda qui est actuellement le Secrétaire National Exécutif de la CENI.
Press Release: Thousands protest nomination in defiance of stay-at-home orders in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Washington, DC – On thursday, thousands of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) citizens took to the streets in protest to the nomination of Mr. Ronsard Malonda to head the National Independent Election Commission (NIEC). In defiance of the government order forbidding protests due to the COVID-19 pandemic and organized by the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, the protesters came out in large numbers showing their disapproval of the system that had nominated Mr. Malonda who is currently the National Executive Secretary of the DRC NIEC.
Twenty Years Prison for Democratic Republic of Congo President’s Chief of Staff for Embezzlement
On June 20, 2020 a Judge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sentenced one of the…
Coalition to Dept. of State: Democratic Republic of Congo’s Judiciary Reforms are Unconstitutional
On June 30, 2020, the Africa Faith and Justice Network was one of the signers of the…
Press Statement: The Judiciary Reform Bill in DRC is Unconstitutional
Washington, DC – (En Francais) A judiciary reform bill being considered in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Parliament is attempting to undermine the Judiciary’s autonomy. If passed, the Judiciary will be answerable to the Minister of Justice, a politically appointed position of the Executive Branch. The DRC’s Constitution states that each branch of the government is autonomous, so if passed the bill would be changing the essential structure of the Republic. Also constitutional revisions are illegal during a state of urgency, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many Congolese assert that if this bill passes, it would halt the progress made by the Judiciary and supported by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi with tackling corruption.
Le Projet de Loi sur la Réforme Judiciaire en RDC est Inconstitutionnel
Washington, DC – (English Version) Un projet de loi sur la réforme judiciaire en cours d’examen au Parlement de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) tente de saper l’autonomie du pouvoir judiciaire. S’il est adopté, le pouvoir judiciaire devra répondre au le ministre de la Justice, un poste politique du pouvoir exécutif. La Constitution de la RDC stipule que chaque branche du gouvernement est autonome. Par conséquent, s’il était adopté, le projet de loi modifierait la structure essentielle de la République. Les révisions constitutionnelles sont également illégales pendant un état d’urgence, comme la pandémie actuelle de COVID-19. De nombreux Congolais affirment que si ce projet de loi est adopté, il mettrait un terme aux progrès réalisés par le pouvoir judiciaire et soutenu par le président de la RDC, Felix Tshisekedi, pour lutter contre la corruption.
Ebola Treatment in Clinical Trial Brings Hope
On April 19, Voice of America reported that in “BENI – An Ebola flare-up in eastern Congo…
