Basic Human Rights and the Humanitarian Crises in Sub-Saharan Africa

Description: For decades, post-independence Africa has been marked by conflicts, violence, and civil wars leading to a displacement of civilian populations and numerous humanitarian crises. For example, the Somali war, the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and the Darfur conflict in Western Sudan illustrate this phenomenon. In these situations, protecting the basic human rights of security, subsistence, the liberties of social participation, and the physical movement of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs)--particularly women, children, and young people--has been seen as inadequate. This book offers the following: a systematic presentation of the nature and scope of the crises; an evaluative description of the achievements and failures of governments, organizations, and the international community in responding to the crises; a critical analysis of the rationale for such an inadequate response; and a philosophical and theological study of basic human rights that seeks to redress these failures by envisioning an appropriate response and a lasting solution to the conflicts, displacement, and humanitarian crises in Sub-Saharan Africa. Endorsements: ""Humanitarian crises in the Great Lakes Region of Africa have resulted in massive suffering and displacement. In Basic Human Rights and the Humanitarian Crises in Sub-Saharan Africa, Gabriel Msoka offers a rich and incisive account of the legal and moral claim-rights of refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Msoka explores the scope and limits of modern ""rights talk"" and draws upon theological resources in proposing a constructive account of the human rights of the forcibly displaced. This is an important and all too timely book."" --William O'Neill, SJ, Assistant Professor of Social Ethics, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley ""Msoka's book honors the memory of those promoting the basic human rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Great Lakes region of Sub-Saharan Africa. Msoka brings first-hand knowledge and insight to the plight and anguish of these displaced persons. His treatment of the biblically inspired social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church as a basis for implementing these basic human rights is especially compelling. Msoka's powerful final thought--that victims and persecutors are called upon to make a change of heart and embrace each other as children of God, redeemed by Christ the proto-ancestor--is valid not only for the tragedy of the displaced persons of Sub Saharan Africa, but for the well being of all humanity. --Sylvan Capitani, Pastor, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, New Freedom, PA About the Contributor(s): Gabriel Andrew Msoka was born and raised in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, Africa. He is a Catholic priest and a member of the Religious and Missionary Order of the Apostles of Jesus. Msoka has received two Pontifical degrees: In 1998 he graduated with a Licentiate Degree in Sacred Theology with a specialization in Moral Theology (STL) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. In 2005 he graduated with a Doctorate in Sacred Theology with a specialization in social ethics (STD) from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. Msoka is the associate pastor at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Freedom, Pennsylvania.