AFJN - Africa Faith and Justice Network

Welcome.

Africa Faith & Justice Network educates and advocates for a transformation of U.S. policies toward Africa. Grounded by a commitment to social justice, AFJN brings the most important issues affecting the people of Africa to our lawmakers in Washington, DC. We hope you will join us in our quest for peace and justice on the African continent by signing up and getting involved today!

Join our eNetwork

Upcoming Events

Sample Event

Stop Nigerian Military Attacks in the Niger Delta!

“The helicopter gunships hovered low over a crowded street, where people had gathered to celebrate an annual festival, and opened fire with machine guns and rockets…” --BBC Report

Thousands of lives have been lost and upwards of 20,000 persons displaced in the ongoing military offensive. This is an inexcusable abuse of military power and authority by a government which is heavily supported by the United States.

Nigeria is slated to receive approximately $4.5 million in military training, hardware sales, and counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics education in 2010. It is intolerable that the U.S. taxpayer must subsidize a repressive government’s slaughter of its civilians. President Obama should make it clear to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua that the U.S. will not support leaders who abuse their own citizens.

Voice your concern today by signing this letter to President Obama!

>>Learn More

November 21, 2009

Subject:

Dear President Barack Obama

On May 14th, the Nigerian Joint Military Task Force (JTF), laid siege to towns along the coast, attacking from air, land, and sea. Although the Nigerian government maintains that the attack was targeting militant groups that obstruct oil flows, what transpired was a massive assault on the communities and villages of Gbaramatu kingdom. Thousands of lives have been lost and upwards of 20,000 persons displaced in the ongoing military offensive. This is an inexcusable abuse of military power and government authority.

“The helicopter gunships hovered low over a crowded street, where people had gathered to celebrate an annual festival, and opened fire with machine guns and rockets, according to several accounts” from the BBC. There is no question that these attacks were specifically targeted at civilians, not only young militant groups such as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). Such attacks are ongoing, driving civilians into the mangrove creeks and away from the reach of humanitarian organizations.

Civil society in Nigeria believes that the strikes against civilians are purposeful, so that the government can gain greater access to oil without a sense of obligation to the communities occupying the oil-rich territory. The Delta provides the Nigerian government with approximately 92 percent of its revenue while the populations living along the coast continue to be neglected. Rather than receiving a share of the wealth, they live in poverty and amidst severe pollution. These are the issues that must be addressed to ensure stability in the Niger Delta.

It is imperative that as President, you take a strong stand against the actions by the Nigerian military. I encourage you to use your leverage as a supplier of military and development aid to Nigeria to stop the violence in the Niger Delta. Nigeria is slated to receive approximately $4.5 million in military training, hardware sales, and counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics education in 2010. It is intolerable that the U.S. taxpayer must subsidize a repressive government’s slaughter of its civilians. The U.S. must make it clear to President Umaru Yar'Adua that it will not support such violence.

Thank you for all you are doing to promote a more equitable and just U.S. foreign policy. Please take a stand against the violence in the Niger Delta and do everything in your power to ensure that Nigeria’s citizens are treated with dignity and in peace.

Sincerely,

We will add your signature from the information you provide.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Street*

Street 2

City*

State/Province*

Zip/Postal Code*

Send an Email

Send a Fax