ACOA AT AFRICAN RAN SUPPORTS NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY CHURCH MEETING STRUGGLE
This October, over sixty RAN congregations participated in prayers and advocacy in support of the campaign to restore democracy in Nigeria. Nigerian Freedom Sunday was initiated as a day of special prayer in Nigeria and the U.S. to celebrate Nigeria's independence from colonial rule. Since 1993, when the Nigerian military regime annulled free and fair elections, seized political power and stripped people of their most basic human and civil rights, Nigerians have been praying for peace and justice in their homeland and for the 7,000 activists who have been Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Willis Logan of the National imprisoned, exiled or murdered by the military Council of Churches and Reverend Jose Chipenda at the regime. Moshood Abiola, the democratically-elected AACC Assembly. President of Nigeria, is still imprisoned. In New York, RAN arranged for Nigerian In October, ACOA President Wyatt Tee Walker and RAN exiles and political activists Hafsat Abiola, Jumoke Coordinator Reverend Paul Harris were in Addis Ababa Ogunkeyede and a torture victim to speak at local ' Ethiopia to join the deliberations of the Seventh Annual congregations, including Park Slope United Assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches Methodist Church, Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, (AACC). This Assembly brought together church leaders Abyssinian Baptist Church, The House of the Lord and representatives of women's and youth organizations -Church, Child's Memorial Tempie and The Riverside from across Africa and other parts of the world to join in Church. six days of intensive meetings from October 4 - IO. Congregations were inspired by the Wyatt Tee Walker and the choir from Canaan speakers' descriptions of the travails of families Baptist Church were key supporters of the Assembly. Dr. throughout Nigeria deprived of their loved ones and Walker gave the opening sermon and the choir provided haunted by the fear of arbitrary arrests and possible musical support throughout the Assembly. Reverend Jon torture. A victim of torture, 'Atta,' spoke at Park Chapman, Africa Secretary for Presbyterian Church, USA; Slope United Methodist Church, holding the Willis Logan of the National Council of Churches; and congregation spellbound as he described his Reverend B.W. Smith, President of the Progressive horrifying experience in the hands of the regime's National Baptist Convention, were among over 100 U.S. special guards. He believed only God could have participants representing major U.S. denominations. saved him from th'e "close encounter with death." The Assembly elevated the urgent tasks that must At Abyssinian Baptist Church, pastored by (Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 2)
Religious Action Network, American Committee on Africa, 17 John Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10038 Phone: (212) 962-1210 Fax: (212) 964-8570 E-Mail: acoa@)gc.apc.org their work collecting firewood." Every 22 minutes a landmine somewhere kills or maims a new victim. An estimated 7 million landmines have been laid in more than 60 countries worldwide; about one-third of them are in Africa, in countries like Mozambique, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Liberia, Mauritania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Deaths and maiming continue even when the conflicts are over. AACC has been working closely with the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and over 1,000 organizations worldwide to implement a ban on the manufacturing and use of landmines through an Reverend Jon Chapman, Reverend Paul Harris, Phyllis Byrd, international treaty. That Treaty, due to be signed in Assistant to the AACC General Secretary, and Wyatt Tee Ottawa in December, has the support of 100 countries, Walker at the Assembly. including Canada, the United Kingdom and South (Continued.from page 1) Africa, but the U.S. refused to sign on. be addressed if Africa's children are to inherit more than hunger and poverty in the 21st century. Human rights, Seeking Development, Lifting the Debt Load debt cancellation, good governance, social justice and Economic development and poverty elimination poverty alleviation were key themes of addresses made in Africa were topics of considerable focus at the by African leaders and exchanges among the 800 Assembly. Reverend Frank Chikane of South Africa participants. emphasized that Africa was being marginalized by the Archbishop Tutu, opening the Assembly on exploitation of its natural and human resources. Nigerian Freedom Sunday with a moving address, urged Archbishop Tutu spoke of the debt crisis as the participants to pray for Africa. Citing African nations most crippling obstacle to sustainable development. such as Kenya, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Algeria and Africa, despite its abundant wealth, remains the poorest Democratic Republic of Congo, which all face major of all continents. Revenue that should be used to invest human rights challenges, Archbishop Tutu focused on in the people is used to pay interest on debt owed to the the special challenge facing Nigeria. World Bank or other creditors. "What a thorough disgrace continues to prevail AACC has been calling for the cancellation of in Nigeria, a land that should be the undisputed leader in debt as a significant way to improve the lives of millions Africa with its many outstanding and gifted persons. of Africans. Archbishop Tutu called on all AACC This giant of Africa is becoming renowned for members to join with others in a moral crusade to cancel corruption, injustice and oppression; it is ironic that this debt, calling it JUBILEE 2000. Nigeria helped to bring democracy to Liberia and now JUBILEE 2000, based on the Biblical principle that seeks to play a similar role in Sierra Leone. Nigerians everything belongs to God and all debts must be canceled abroad are fighting against military rule for democracy in the jubilee year, is working to give debtors the chance and freedom they are not allowed to enjoy in their home to make a new beginning. What is needed now, said country." Archbishop Tutu called on the people of Africa Archbishop Tutu, is a worldwide movement similar to to "make Africa inhospitable to dictators." the anti-apartheid effort: "We need the friends who stood by us in the dark days of oppression and injustice to join Ending Landmine Terror in this new struggle against the crippling burden of debt." One pressing topic at the Assembly was the JUBILEE2000 involves grassroots organizations in creditor devastating impact landmines have on Africa's people nations such as the United Kingdom and the U.S. and economy. "The malevolent utility of landmines is to Other issues discussed at the Assembly were deprive populations of the use of their farmland, to related to women, children, health and malnutrition, terrorize civilians, to destroy food sources and to make ecological disaster, conflict resolution and peace and famine a weapon of war," Reverend Jose Chipenda, reconciliation. The Assembly closed with the elections of General Secretary of AACC, told the Assembly. "The Canon Clement Janda of Sudan as General Secretary and main victims of these pernicious instruments," he the Right Reverend Kwesi Dickson of Ghana as continued, "are children at play or women going about President. Religious Action Network, A Project ofthe American Committee on Africa ACOA worked actively on behalf of these resolutions, passed by national organizations in support of the international banning of landmines, continued U.S. development assistance to Africa and democracy in Nigeria.
Southern Christian Leadership Conference Progressive National Baptist Convention Resolution on Aid to Africa Resolution on Landmines
AUGUST 6, 1911 Southern Christian Leadership Conference JfUTFAUJ, Nv, 10H sclc 134 Auburn A.wi. Nf • 1'.0 , Bo• 99121 • Atl•ma. G~gia JOl12 •1'041622•1410
40111 ANNIVERSARY SCLC ANNUAL CONVENTION ~ 1997
RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS Da AP. D1t. lkvrr-rrt It'. SNTTH, Sit. TO PROVJDF. INCREASED AID TO AFRICA ,.,,,,,,,,,
RESOLUTION SUl'PORTING A TOTAL BAN ON ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMIN ES S111>Mi1t~d D1: W,.,OU T,i WolUr. Amr.icon C"""""1tn cm Afrko
WHEREAS, the c;l.:S ~ "k 01ri.:.r of sl1tnl)' L,c. :.ok'ilialism helped WHEREAS, anti•persoancl landmincs, laid Ul 68 countries. kill or injure 26.000 people every y,::ar-ooe dcv.uute Africa. !ea .. ini i: tho !)('IOl'C~t cf ill conti nt,,u; iL!ui persco .-n,ry 22 mimllcs; 111d
_ WHEREAS_, Africa_M:Cuuz,is for more thin half oLlhc \IIIOl'Kfs r,oorc~; - WHEREAS, Africa is the most mined conti.-,cnt in th= v.-orld v.ith An1ob. and Mozambique havin& an nations. with...-tban 211 milliofl Africans livin;oo leu thanone,dollaJaday; anJ cstimal WHEREAS, many Afri¢1n nations~ stNe&lin& lO build dcmocnc:ics and WHEREAS, more than 1,000 n,on.savcrmncnuI cq:Wutions around the world, includin& churehn. WUons, IIC.hinc c:conomic jusitce for all their pc:::ople; and de-ve!opmcat m:I human riJbu cqmiz.auons are workin1 to promoce a eompreba:uivc ban oo the use. productioa, IIOClq,iliq --of ...__ , lllldmws; and WHEREAS, eon,,- aatcd lhe Devol- Fund ror Afrioa mate than a doc.ada 1110 IO pro&Ktdewlopmml aid 10 Atric:a; IDd '\\'HER.EAS, contim:nw orpni.zatioas tueh u the OrglnWUOa of Aincc'Unity, \be All Africa Coofercnee ot Churc:hcs, the Warid Council of Churches and the Southc:m A&ican Development Community have called WHEIIEAS,A61coo....-dooperoOdyMOdU.S.-I01'uild_,, Cot the abolition of anti-pe:l'J(llmel land mines, ud ood - parify driftkina - ,ad fia)M ~-. apocially- olfoctina diildnn;ood \\ BE IT RESOL Vl!D -- 1 I. 1ba1 SQ.C call~ Conpss ~ help achieve smlainablc IX'\icloprnent (N WHEREAS, the Progmsivc Nllioaal Bap1~1 Conventiao. lllc. (PNBC) believes the U.S. should become Aftic:s. nkla& no funher au in lid tundina. lUIOMI I.he DeYeiopm,ent Fundina for tCldcr in the worldwide campaipi to ban anti•pcnonncl landmines; Africa ad Jll'O"idin1 a least the $104 mimon of naadin& prvp0ICd by the eo...-ialockc...... r.. 1m. ~OW THERE.FORE.·BE IT RE.SOL VD> that the Progrcs.sivc National Baptist Convffltion, Inc:. (PNBC) ~ 3CS President Bill Climon to suppon. a comprehc!Wvc ban on the use, production. uockpilin1 and apon of 2. That SCLC call upon lhc Congnaiofw Black C:.... IDd other . uti-per,ooncl landmines and to commit the U.S. to lilfl the Otta~ TfC.3ty in ~mbcr, Coapcai,oaal ~-• w pus the lqislation initialed II, CQqresamar. CMrln lu.npl. HB :067. and ill com~ bdl in the ScMle. sm. to promote BE IT THEREFORE FTJRTHIR RESOLVED that Proarcssive Natioaal B191~1 Con•ention. Ille. su.ble and l\lfl&insbt: ;:C,Clncn,c ~rowt.'I and (!c,.cio~•. °trJ increuJ".a trade &rid r'PNBC) supponm arc cncounpd to participate in \be wnpailft to ban landminc:s b:-' \.\Tltm1 to Prc.sidctn in~erts :o ,ui,.S 11~ A frl(;.I., Clinton and tht1t Ccxip'Cl&ional rrpraenwiYCS to W"JC UW the U.S. s1an \be Ottaw1 Triary. ____ : "SCLC call[s] upon _,..--.._G.,~·l American Baptist "PNBC believes the U.S. Congress to help Churches USA Resolution should become a leader in achieve sustainable on Nigeria Democracy Act the worldwide campaign development-for - - -. - -- ·- - ""-'--'------.~ to ban anti-personnel Africa, making no landmines ... PNBC urges further cuts in aid "We call on American President Clinton to funding, restoring the Baptists to consider [H.R. support a comprehensive Development Fund for 1786 - The Nigeria Democracy ban on the use, Africa and providing at Act] and its implications and production, stockpiling least the $804 million to share their concerns with and export of anti of funding proposed by their Congressional personnel landmines and the Congressional representatives and the to commit the U.S. to Black Caucus for President." sign the Ottawa Treaty." 1998." Religious Action Network, A Project ofthe American Committee on Africa Reverend Richard Democracy Struggle Wills Joins (Continued from page 1) ACOA's Board Reverend Calvin Butts, Governor Pataki announced that "it is not business as usual with Nigeria" in the State of New York, after listening to Hafsat Abiola speak on the violence in her country. At Reverend Herbert Daughtry's House of the Lord Church, Jumoke Ogunkeyede, President of the United Committee to Save Nigeria, urged the congregation to support the naming of "Kudirat Abiola Comer" on the street in front of the Nigerian Consulate in New York City. In November, forums and demonstrations around the globe commemorated the deaths of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8. In New York, RAN collaborated with Goodluck Diigbo, a close associate of Saro-Wiwa and President of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People of the Movement for Reverend Wills at the New York City Council hearing. the Survival of Ogoni People; the Patrice Lumumba Reverend Richard Wills, Assistant Pastor at Canaan Coalition; the Sierra Club; and Amnesty International in Baptist Church in New York, was elected to the demonstrations and community and national radio forums. ACOA Board in September. He was also elected the Reverend Paul Harris, joined by a Nigerian exile, new General Secretary of the Religious Action Net took the message of the need for action on Nigeria to the work. National Council of Churches (NCC) General Assembly in Prior to joining Canaan, Reverend Wills Washington, D.C. in late November. NCC leaders Willis served as the Pastor of Dexter A venue King Memo Logan and Reverend Will Hertzfeld expressed their belief that rial Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama and there was a need for an NCC strategy meeting on Nigeria in Pilgrim Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He is early 1998. a member of the American Baptist Convention and While in Washington, Reverend Harris was able to the Progressive National Baptist Convention and is thank Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and a life-long advocate for justice and equality. Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ) for their work on Reverend Wills recently testified before the Nigeria. In two separate meetings with staff from the offices New York City Council in support of the renaming of Representatives Charles Rangel (D-NY) and William of the street in front of the Nigerian Consulate Jefferson (D-LA), Reverend Harris urged support of H.R. "Kudirat Abiola Comer." Reverend Wills told the 1786, the Nigeria Democracy Act. This legislation would Council that "U.S. congregations have become a impose economic sanctions against the Nigerian military refuge for Nigeria..'1 exiles, and so remain the 'rock' regime. These meetings also provided an opportunity to stress to further the struggle for peace and justice in Nige ACOA's concern about the possibility of U.S. support for a ria and other parts of Africa." false transition to non-military rule. Reverend Harris stressed Also joining the ACOA Board is Aleah Bac that "any transition in Nigeria without the release of political quie, Director of Social Justice Ministries at The prisoners and the full participation of President-elect Riverside Church in New York City. Moshood Abiola would be meaningless." The Religious Action Network is a network of over 200 congregations throughout the U.S. It was established by Wyatt Tee Walker and Canon Frederick B. Williams. RAN is a project of the American Committee on Africa, formed in 1953 to support justice and freedom in Africa. For more information on how your congregation can join, contact the Religious Action Network at 17 John Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10038, Phone:(212) 962-1210, Fax (212) 964-8570, E-Mail: [email protected]. Newsletter edited and produced by Aisha Satterwhite. ~ Wyatt Tee Walker Canon Frederick B. Williams Jennifer Davis Rev. Paul D. Harris President Treasurer Executive Director Coordinator