(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

Friday, January 25, 2008 was designated as a special day of prayer for peace and reconciliation in Kenya.  To mark this day, the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a special prayer included below.  You are  invited to join in solidarity with the Kenyan people by praying this prayer and others on Friday and throughout these days of violence and uncertainty in that country.

In the midst of rallies in Iowa and café stops in New Hampshire, Senator Barack Obama has been on the phone, attempting to resolve the political crisis in Kenya that has claimed approximately 500 lives and displaced nearly 200,000. He spoke with both the incumbent, Mwai Kibaki, and the opposition leader, Raila Odinga. Obama also phoned the State Department to push for urgent diplomatic action.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

"During their visit to Africa, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will visit Emusoi Centre, a project of the Maryknoll Sisters in Arusha, Tanzania. Emusoi (or place of discovery and awareness in Maa, the Maasai language) is an ongoing educational project that prepares school-age girls from nomadic tribes for entrance into secondary and tertiary schools. We are certain that President and Mrs. Bush will be deeply impressed by the young women of Emusoi and will see the beauty and strength that we as Maryknoll have seen so often in African cultures.

In Africa, Maryknoll missioners also have seen the ravages of deep poverty, disease, violent conflict and environmental destruction. We have been supportive of the Bush administration's focus on Africa, particularly through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and support for debt cancellation for many countries.

PEPFAR, though far from perfect, enabled effective programs, including some sponsored by Maryknoll, to focus effectively on prevention, care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS. And in Tanzania alone, debt relief led to a 50 percent increase in primary school enrollment. We hope these programs will be expanded and fully funded during this final year of the Bush administration.

However, we could not welcome President Bush to the Maryknoll Center in Arusha without also raising our deep concerns about some crucial dimensions of his legacy in Africa, including:

AFRICOM - We oppose the further militarization of U.S. Africa policy through the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). We urge rather an emphasis on sustainable human security: education, housing, hospitals, decent jobs and clean water.

Climate change - Africa is already feeling the impact of global warming. A compassionate U.S. policy in Africa would join immediately the global community's effort to address this universal threat.

Poverty - Increased commerce, predominantly in extractive industries, between the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa, has benefited huge oil companies, but not the majority of African people, even in resource-rich countries. The control of 'big oil' over U.S. foreign policy is perpetuating poverty and environmental damage. Genuine concern about African poverty will focus on creating a just and sustainable global economy that enables local communities to thrive.

Children - The attention of the President to the young women and girls at Emusoi is most welcome, but he could accomplish much more for all the children of Africa by supporting U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, an important convention which only the United States and Somalia have failed to approve.

We are pleased with this opportunity to emulate our African friends in providing gracious hospitality for President and Mrs. Bush. We hope that this experience will open their hearts to cry for justice from Africa."

Founded in 1912, the Maryknoll Sisters were the first group of Catholic Sisters in the United States to devote their lives in service overseas. Maryknoll Sisters come from 29 countries and serve in 31 lands around the world, and work in ministries such as basic Christian communities, adult education, leadership training, teaching English in China, fostering income-generating projects, and working with people who live with HIV/AIDS.