Through its community service program, Burundians have built 200 primary schools in addition to 300 built by the government.  Burundi provides free primary school education and free healthcare for all pregnant woman and every child under the age of 5.

Published March 15, 2008

When it comes to Africa, most American Presidents have had little interest in the continent and its people. However, over the past several administrations, the Executive Branch has sought increased involvement in African affairs, ranging from humanitarian aid to military support. Former President Bill Clinton is known around the continent for his initiatives aimed at increasing economic growth and development, though his fame is arguably overblown. Oddly enough, for better or for worse, President George W. Bush has engaged more with Africa than any President preceding him. From PEPFAR to AFRICOM, Bush has promoted an American agenda in the African context; a foreign policy that, despite its benefits, has had significant repercussions on the people of Africa.

From February 15th-21st, President Bush visited Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia – his second trip to the continent since he took office in 2001. In many ways, the trip resembled a victory lap. He touted the achievements of his administration in combating HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), preventing malaria, and increasing the development capacity of African governments through the Millennium Challenge Account and education initiatives. He made speeches about the potential of Africa, about it’s “natural beauty, vibrant culture, and an unmistakable spirit of energy and optimism.”

Q&A with Emmanuel Roberts

Published Feb 25, 2008

The government of Sierra Leone requested that UN Security Council establish an international tribunal to prosecute individuals responsible for committing atrocities in the country’s brutal civil war, which broke out in 1991 and remains unresolved despite the Lomé Peace Accord of July 1999. This request was made in hopes that such prosecutions would help to break the ongoing cycle of violence and promote reconciliation.

On March 30, 2001, the Security Council adopted a Resolution which encouraged the Government of Sierra Leone, together with the Secretary General of the UN, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant international actors, to expedite the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). On 22nd November 2000, the Parliament of Sierra Leone unanimously passed into law the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  It was meant to work alongside the international criminal tribunal, the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL).

Have these institutions contributed to Restorative Justice in Sierra Leone?

So far, the TRC has compiled stories, reports and recommendations that have yet to be implemented.  Restorative justice faces many obstacles because many offenders have never been caught, prosecuted or convicted and those who have been convicted are often poorly monitored. The TRC has been criticized for being punitive rather than serving as alternatives to incarceration which affirms the offender's self-worth, giving him/her the opportunity to "make things right."

The mandate of the SCSL required that credible justice be brought to those members of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the Civil Defense Forces (CDF) and their accomplices responsible for committing crimes against the people of Sierra Leone. The SCSL has incarcerated high profile people including (Charles Taylor, the former President of the Republic of Liberia and late Chief Sam Hinga Norman both of whom were responsible for crimes against humanity. The TRC is also charged with addressing impunity, responding to the needs of victims, promoting healing and reconciliation and stopping human rights violations and abuses in addition to investigating and report on the “antecedents” of the conflict. 

(Washington, DC) - Africa Faith and Justice Network is both saddened and incensed by the news reports and stories coming out of Kenya. As an Africa advocacy organization, we feel it is important to address the issue and to engage in some serious analysis about the situation there and how it affects the democratic process in Africa. However, as our primary mission is to influence US policy toward Africa, we have struggled to determine a proper course of action. In many ways, we feel it is the Kenyan people and the Kenyan political parties who must procure peace for themselves. We also hope that the US heeds the warning from Kenya and commits to a more comprehensive development policy toward Africa in the long-run – one that de-emphasizes defense and boosts diplomacy and civilian engagement.

As such, we call on
--The people of Kenya to halt all violent acts in order to allow incumbent Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga to come to an agreement. The violence that has pervaded the post-election process is only further ethnicizing the political process in Kenya.

--President Kibaki to include Luo people and other Kenyan tribes in his government. The Kenyan people must accept Kibaki as the President but it is in Kenya’s best interest that Kibaki bring all parties into the government.

--The United States to recognize that peace is the end goal and to encourage it among Kenya’s political parties.

Updated Feb 28, 2008