The November 2011 edition of AEFJN's Forum for Action is now online. It contains articles on the ethical responsibility of the Church on the climate issue, on the clean up of the Ogoniland oil spills, which will take decades, on the spread of Libyan arms in the Sahel, on the production of medicines in Africa and on the EU's attempt to force African countries to sign EPAs.
The national election campaign officially started the 28th October in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exactly one month ahead of historic presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for November 28 2011. 41 humanitarian and human rights organizations, among them AEFJN, have expressed concern about the high political tension and deteriorating security situation. They have called upon all Congolese and international actors involved to take urgent measures to prevent electoral violence, better protect civilians and ensure credible, free and fair elections.
Rule of law in Eastern Africa
Eastern Africa Regional meeting to discuss rule of law and human security
East Africa faces a number of threats from organized crime, including piracy, trafficking of weapons, drugs and persons, smuggling of migrants, and environmental crime. This has a serious impact on the health, security and development of the region.
Ministers from 13 Eastern African countries endorsed a 2009-12 'Regional Programme Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security' on 24 November in Nairobi, Kenya. The Programme will be implemented by the UN Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC).
One of the expected outputs is UNODC assistance to governments to improve legislation and policies to combat gun smuggling.
The programme applies to Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Programme: www.unodc.org/easternafrica/en/meetings/regional-ministerial-meeting-on-rule-of-law-and-human-security.html
Ministerial Declaration: www.iansa.org/regions/cafrica/cafrica.htm