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African bishops demand end to ‘land grabs’ by private companies

Published

4 years ago

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OXFORD, England (CNS) — Africa’s Catholic bishops have criticized the appropriation of land, natural resources and other economic assets by private companies and called on national governments to show greater concern for local community rights and needs.
“For most Africans, land is neither a tradeable commodity nor an individual possession — it is a gift from God and our ancestors, a common good,” said the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
“The impunity of corporate and elite capture of African land and natural resources and the damage this is doing to Africa’s food systems, to our environment, our soils, lands and water, our biodiversity, our nutrition and health is a major concern. Land grabs push people off the land, fueling conflicts and provoking displacement,” the statement said.
The bishops were joined by leaders of other faith-based and nongovernmental organizations ahead of talks between the African Union and European Union foreign ministers in Kigali, Rwanda, that opened Oct. 26.
The statement expressed concern that land deals in 2021, covering more than 62 million acres, had been concluded “by private actors encouraged and financially supported by governments and public development banks.”
Such business ventures, the statement said, continued to reflect European perspectives because of “the legacy of colonialism and huge differentials of power and capacity.”
“We have come together in solidarity and fraternity to amplify the voices of African communities struggling for land justice,” it said.
The signees urged the African Union and European Union to ensure “meaningful community participation” in future development projects.
The foreign ministers were meeting to discuss common challenges ahead of a sixth European Union-African Union summit, planned for Brussels in early 2022, including recovery from COVID-19, poverty, security, migration, education and skills development.
They met as the United Nations’ climate summit was about to begin in Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 31.
In a separate interview Oct. 25 with Poland’s Catholic Information Agency, KAI, Cardinal Philippe Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, SECAM president, said Africa’s growing Catholic Church was needed for “world evangelization,” but was being held back by “scandalous structural poverty.”
He explained that Burkina Faso’s 17 gold mines are owned by international companies, leaving just 9% of profits in the country. He said a “new order” was urgently needed.
“African countries have gained independence,” he said, “but this is just a formal independence, since we are still subject to domination.”
Original source: Catholic News Service Via Farm Land Grab

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1st Eastern Africa Indigenous seed conference 2026

Published

5 days ago

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June 30, 2026

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For too long, indigenous and local seeds and livestock breeds and the farmers who nurture them have been overlooked in conversations about the future of our food systems. It’s time to change that!

The 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference is an opportunity for all of us; farmers, pastoralists, researchers, policymakers, civil society, and development partners; to bring back to the centre what truly matters: our seeds, our food, and our future.

From 17th–20th November 2026, we will come together at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, Kenya, to share knowledge, celebrate indigenous seeds and livestock diversity, strengthen Farmer-Managed Seed Systems, build partnerships, influence policy, and amplify the voices of the communities that continue to conserve and protect our seed heritage.

If you believe that resilient food systems begin with farmers and the seeds they steward, then this conference is for you.

Register today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTmZuwKbldfKRHBF4I62lquRLNRsGPWG5WUGi3KzupIkzy6w/viewform

📍 17–20 November 2026

📍 Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, Kenya

Our Seeds, Our Food, Our Future.

Source: eaindigenousseedconference.org

Related posts:

1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference 2026 | EA-ISC Nairobi The Indigenous Seeds movement in East Africa is convening in Kenya, with the potential to reshape the region’s food systems. Witness Radio and Seed Savers Network are partnering to produce radio content to save indigenous seeds in Africa. Seed Boot Camp: A struggle to conserve local and indigenous seeds from extinction. Seed Sovereignty: Most existing and emerging laws and policies on seeds are endangering seed saving and conservation on the African continent.
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NGO WORK

1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference 2026 | EA-ISC Nairobi

Published

4 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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The largest Indigenous Seed gathering in Eastern Africa is happening this November!

From 17th–20th November 2026, farmers, pastoralists, community seed banks, researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations, and development partners will gather at the Catholic University of Eastern

Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, Kenya for the 1st Eastern Africa Indigenous Seed Conference.

At a time when climate change, biodiversity loss, and shrinking access to locally adapted seeds continue to threaten our food systems, this conference will provide a much-needed platform to strengthen Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS), advance seed sovereignty, and ensure that farmers remain at the centre of the conversations and solutions shaping our food future.

There are many ways to be part of this historic gathering:

  • Register as a participant
  • Join the planning committees and help shape the programme
    -Organise a side event
  • Submit an abstract, story, video, audio piece, artwork, or research paper
  • Exhibit your work, innovations, products, or community initiatives
  • Support farmer and community participation
  • Partner with us as a sponsor or co-organiser

This is an opportunity to build a vibrant regional community of practice, strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and amplify farmer voices across Eastern Africa.

Register for the conference: https://eaindigenousseedconference.org/registration-abstract

Join us in planning as a co organiser: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSf6XOWaGnV…/viewform…

#indigenousSeedsEA2026 #SeedSovereignty #UnitedForLocalSeeds

Source: eaindigenousseedconference.org

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The Indigenous Seeds movement in East Africa is convening in Kenya, with the potential to reshape the region’s food systems. Witness Radio and Seed Savers Network are partnering to produce radio content to save indigenous seeds in Africa. Seed Boot Camp: A struggle to conserve local and indigenous seeds from extinction. The Witness Radio and Seed Savers Network Joint Radio program boosts Farmers’ knowledge of seed and food sovereignty. Seed Sovereignty: Most existing and emerging laws and policies on seeds are endangering seed saving and conservation on the African continent.
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NGO WORK

UN Experts Put Tanzanian Government on Notice – “Ensure Transparency and Respect for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Ngorongoro”

Published

2 months ago

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April 23, 2026

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April 17, 2026 press release from the offices of eight UN Special Rapporteurs1 calls for the Tanzanian government to immediately publish the findings of two presidential commissions amid growing concerns over its eviction plans.
The communication echoes the Oakland Institute’s warning that these sham Presidential Commissions are being used to rubber-stamp eviction plans without the consent of the Indigenous community.
The strongly-worded communication from the UN Special Rapporteurs states that “these reports are of profound public interest and must be made available to the public without delay…Decisions affecting tens of thousands of Indigenous Peoples cannot be taken behind closed doors.” The experts furthermore urge “the Government to halt any actions that could lead to forced displacement, and engage in meaningful dialogue with affected communities,” while issuing a clear reminder that “Indigenous Peoples have a right to remain on their traditional lands if they so choose…Conservation efforts must not come at the expense of human rights.”
Impacted Maasai communities welcome this intervention from the UN Special Rapporteurs and reaffirm their commitment to defend their rights to remain on their ancestral lands.
To learn more about the struggle against Fortress Conservation, watch the interview: The Dark Side of “Conservation”
On Fox 5 DC Weekend Live, Julie Donaldson interviews Andy Currier, Oakland Institute’s Policy Analyst. Watch the discussion on fortress conservation and the human cost of climate solutions that displace Indigenous communities who best protect our biodiversity.
Watch the video

Source: oaklandinstitute.org

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