Appeal for Detained African Journalists - Urgent!

[Folu Ogundimu]

Dear Colleague,

 

We salute your conscience and call on you to join the struggle for freedom in the world. In particular, we applaud the courage of those who brave the menacing phalanx of praetorian guards in the Arab world to demand freedom from oppression. At this moment, three journalists in Rwanda and Burundi are in grave danger following their imprisonment for publishing opinions that their governments consider treasonous.

 

Please find attached, a letter of appeal to the President of Burundi for the release of Jean Claude Kavumbagu who has been re-detained on a charge of treason for writing an editorial opinion. By printing, signing, and mailing the letter to President Nkurunziza, you will be adding your voice to those of thousands from all over the world who are pressing for freedom of the press in Burundi.

 

We have also attached a letter to US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in behalf of the imprisoned Rwandan journalists, Nkusi Uwimana and Saidati Mukakibibi who have now been sentenced to 17 years and 7 years imprisonment respectively for defamation. These harsh sentences must not be allowed to stand. As a major friend of Rwanda, we believe the influence of the United States is critical for winning the release of these prisoners of conscience. You will be doing your part in securing their release by printing, signing, and mailing the letter to Assistant Secretary of State, Johnnie Carson.

 

Please share the appeals and the documents as widely as possible with all those in your network. Many more hundreds are receiving this message as a ‘blind’ copy. May the good that binds the conscience of humanity come to your salvation in your own moment of trial.

 

Thank you

Folu

Folu Ogundimu, PhD

Michigan State University