African and world leaders have been charged to rally collective efforts towards promoting social justice and human rights.

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), a continental organisation, made the call in a press release issued on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Day, commemorated annually to promote African unity.

According to the president, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the African continent is in need of justice for all Africans within and in diaspora.

He urged world leaders to confront vices, such as discrimination, dehumanisation, economic exploitation and unlawful exploitation of mineral resources.

He said, “As Catholic Church, Family of God in Africa, we trust that African Leaders will very care of the appeals and pastoral exhortations of Pope Leo XIV, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Francis, is reinforcing the Church’s commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of all the peoples, particularly the poor, the marginalized, and those suffering the consequences of conflict, inequality, and neglect.”

“We echo the prophetic message delivered by Pope Francis during his apostolic journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan from January 31st to February 5th, 2023, while in his impassioned plea, the Holy Father implored, “Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa: it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of its own destiny! May Africa, the smile and hope of the world, count for more. May it be spoken of more frequently, and have greater weight and prestige among the nations!” the release added.

Addressing terrorism, issues of education, healthcare, refugees and displaced people and other issues ravaging the African continent and the world by extension, Mr Ambongo advised global leaders to embark on actions that promote life, earth, peace, while urging the need to end poverty. 

“On this Africa Day, we urge African and world leaders, but also all individuals, to mobilize and work for justice and human rights, while combating all forms of discrimination, economic exploitation, illegal exploitation of natural and mineral resources, inhuman and degrading treatment, emotional trauma and all kinds of suffering endured by Africans,” it added.

“Let us all, as “Pilgrims of Hope”, promote and protect every single life, reduce poverty, take care of “Our Common Home” – the Earth – building Bridges for Peace and Hope everywhere on the African continent and beyond,” the statement added.