KENYA: Christians Professionals in Africa Condemns Neo-Colonialism in the Continent
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Members of the Africa Christian Professionals Forum (ACPF) have criticized the action taken by World Bank Group against Uganda, one of the countries from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region, after Uganda signs into law Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023.
In the solidarity message with the government of Uganda for pro-life & profamily values and highlighting concerns with World Bank action, the body which brings together African Christian Professionals from various denominations and share the common values on life, family, education, Religious freedom and governance, has emphasized that African countries need to stand together and speak one language when it comes to violation of African values.
In the Saturday, August 12, statement, members of ACPF disclosed that the World Bank “has suspended loan facilities for Uganda stating that the law contradicts its values,” because the bank condemns the action taken by Uganda upon signing into law of The Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023.
“As ACPF, we want to state categorically that we stand with the President and the People of Uganda during this period,” reads part of the Saturday statement
According to the Christian Professionals, there is a “trend in which some Western countries and Western-dominated institutions attempt to push divisive and contentious ideologies under the guise of human rights, including advocacy for abortion on demand and for spread of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) ideology.
They appreciated the move taken by the government of Uganda saying, “We commend the Uganda Government’s commitment to upholding pro-life and pro-family values that are fundamental to preserving the sanctity of life, promoting strong family structures, and fostering the well-being of its citizens.”
They add further, “We note that the World Bank’s stated action has violated its own Articles of Agreement which prohibit political activity by the World Bank, as follows: “The Bank and its officers shall not interfere in the political affairs of any member; nor shall they be influenced in their decisions by the political character of the member or members concerned. Only economic considerations shall be relevant to their decisions, and these considerations shall be weighed impartially…”
Africa’s Christian professionals has clarified that the position taken by the World Bank further “contradicts several internationally-recognized principles of human rights law, (including) the right to civil and social self-determination and the right of persons to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”
Based on this concern, ACPF members have called upon the African Union, African countries and institutions to come out strongly against the aggressive position taken by the World Bank.
“This is the time to speak as one and to send a strong message to the rest of the global community. Our values define us, and they are the things that distinguish us as a people. They are our heritage and the things that we want to bequeath to generations to come,” they underscored in their collective Saturday statement.
They further appealed to the international community “to respect the sovereign decisions of nations in shaping their cultural, social, and ethical landscapes,” saying, “We encourage a constructive dialogue that considers the diverse perspectives and beliefs of each nation, fostering a global environment of mutual understanding and collaboration.”
Additionally, they continued, “We urge for a renewed human rights discourse that recognizes that the language of human rights must be instilled with moral values, and must respect reasonable exercise of civil and social self-determination by communities and nations.”
The Africa Christian Professionals Forum mainly focus on providing technical support in influencing the development of a legal and social environment that is supportive of Biblical values in society through research, advocacy, mentorship and witnessing.
