Washington, D.C. (December 4, 2023) – Africa Advocacy Week will bring a delegation of peacebuilding experts from Africa to Washington D.C. between December 2 –7. The event is organized by the Salama Hub, a peacebuilding consortium based in the Horn of Africa. The delegation of African peacebuilders will meet with Members of Congress, State Department staff, USAID officials, and civil society and faith-based organizations about non-violent and inclusive approaches to peacebuilding in the region. These meetings will culminate with an event at the National Press Club on Thursday, December 7 at 9:30 AM.
The meetings and events are intended to urge U.S. policymakers in Congress and at the State Department to invest in peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts led by African governments and civil society organizations. Delegates are highlighting the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with different abilities in peace initiatives with emphasis on climate justice, local ownership, and capacity building. The delegation aims to bring more public awareness about the issues faced in countries in Africa and the role which various stakeholders can play in peacebuilding and sustainable development.
“The peacebuilding delegation's advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. will shed light on the devastating consequences of ongoing conflicts in the Horn of Africa,” said Pauline Muchina, Africa Public Education and Advocacy Coordinator for AFSC. “Through their advocacy, the delegation serves as a vital voice, reminding the U.S. of how the forgotten conflicts in Africa continue to take a heavy toll on lives and demand immediate attention.”
What: Africa Voices of Hope – panel discussion of Salama Hub Africa Peacebuilding Delegation
When: Thursday, December 7, 9:30-11:00 AM
AddreWhere: National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington D.C., 20045 and streamed live online at afsc.org/africandelegation
Sponsors: American Friends Service Committee, Advocacy Network of Africa, Alliance for Peace, Open Society Foundation, Alliance for Peace, Brut Fur die Welt (Bread for the World), Salama Hub Africa, Odd Fellows Lodge, and UNAIDS
This is an open public event with RSVPs at afsc.org/africandelegation. Breakfast will be provided.
About the speakers:
Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki is a distinguished Tanzanian theologian who has earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1987 from the Lutheran Theological College in Makumira, a master's degree in theology from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and an MBA from California Coast University. His career includes roles as a Parish Pastor, Secretary for Literature and Communication, Secretary for Mission and Evangelism, Deputy General Secretary, and General Secretary. Notably, he served as the Director for Mission and Development at the Lutheran World Foundation in Geneva. In June 2018, he assumed the role of General Secretary of the All-Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in Nairobi, where he currently serves.
Enass Nuzamel is a prominent pro-democracy activist and human rights defender from Sudan. She is the co-founder and Managing Director of Madaniya, an organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement and advocating for human rights. Enass's notable contributions include her instrumental role in the 2019 pro-democracy movement in Sudan, leading to Omar al-Bashir's ousting. Despite facing significant challenges, including forced evacuation from her home in Khartoum due to violent conflicts, Enass continues to lead critical relief efforts. She remains committed to supporting women and girls in Sudan by connecting survivors of sexual violence to essential healthcare, medicine, and basic services.
Lensa Biyena is a development practitioner and advocate for human and gender rights from Ethiopia. She has an MSC in project management, a postgraduate degree in international gender studies from the University of Iceland, and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from Mekelle University. Her extensive career has spanned various sectors, including the private sector, international NGOs, and local and regional civil society organizations. Currently, she is serving as an Executive Directress of the Ethiopian Woman Lawyers Association (EWLA), an organization founded by a group of Ethiopian women lawyers in 1995 to promote the legal, economic, social, and political rights of Ethiopian women under the FDRE Constitution and relevant human rights conventions.
Sureya Ali Roble is the founder of Advocacy for Women in Peace and Security-Africa (AWAPSA), an organization dedicated to advancing the women's peace and security agenda through advocacy to drive positive change. She is the Vice Chairperson for Sisters Without Borders, a network of women peacebuilders in the East Africa region, encompassing Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Ms. Roble has a degree in political science and public administration, a master’s degree in business administration with a public policy focus and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in development studies. Over a career expanding more than 30 years, the Kenyan development worker has significantly contributed to community development, project management, and gender related issues.
Joyce Ajlouny joined AFSC as general secretary in 2017. She brings to AFSC a depth of experience in international development and relief, education, and 30 years of non-profit management. Under her leadership AFSC is entering its second century with a bold strategic revisioning and planning initiative that set organizational goals for the next decade (2020-2030). A Palestinian American, Joyce started her career working in international development in Palestine, focusing on minority and refugee rights, gender equality, economic development, and humanitarian support. She served as the country director for Palestine and Israel with Oxfam-Great Britain, chaired the Association of International Development Agencies there and took on leadership roles at the UNDP and UNFPA. Joyce holds a master's degree in organizational management and development from Fielding Graduate University in California.
To RSVP for the event or view the livestream visit: afsc.org/africandelegation
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), in partnership with other organizations, launched the Salama Hub in November 2022. The Salama Hub is an Africa-led independent peacebuilding research and advocacy center focusing on the Horn of Africa region. It provides a platform for African civil societies to interact efficiently with institutional stakeholders in Africa, Europe, and America in the protection of human rights, peace, and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.