Journalist leaders launch the Congress of African journalists

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CONGRESS OF AFRICAN JOURNALISTS (CAJ)

23 JUNE 2020

PRESS RELEASE

Journalists Leaders Launch The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ)

Leaders of African Journalists organisations have today launched the 

Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) to face the current challenging 

effects of COVID-19 and the collateral impacts on press freedom, the 

safety of journalists, access to information, affecting journalists in 

the course of their work.

The inaugural meeting to launch the Congress was hosted by the Nigeria 

Union of Journalists (NUJ) with the attendance of participants from: 

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, 

Senegal, Somalia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, and Zimbabwe. The Congress 

set-up an Interim Governing Council of six (6) members presided by 

Alexandre Niyungeko (President of Union of Burundi Journalists).

Other members of the Interim Governing Council consists of Foster 

Dongozi (Secretary General of Zimbabwe Union of Journalists) 

Vice-President, William Oloo, (Chairman of Kenya Correspondents 

Association) Secretary, Patricia Adjissekou (Secretary General of Togo 

Union of Independent Journalists) Treasurer; Christopher Isiguzo, 

(President of Nigeria Union of Journalists), and Aicha Ahmed Youssouf 

(President of Djibouti Union of the Press and Audiovisual).

  “On the launch of this Congress of African Journalists we commend all 

African journalists for their dedication to press freedom and access to 

information for the general public. We call on African Governments to 

empower the journalists and media organisations to do their work 

efficiently in this trying moment of COVID19.” said the Interim 

President of CAJ

Reports have noted that many journalists have fallen sick or died of 

COVID19, and others have been victimised in the course of their duties 

as essential workers in the frontline to inform the general public. “We 

condole with the victims and their families ” the CAJ added.

The CAJ condemns all attacks on journalists, and calls for the release 

of all journalists in prison in Africa.

The CAJ will continue to engage with all Governments, the African Union 

and partners in expanding freedom of expression and access to 

information for good governance and welfare of the people in Africa.

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For more information, contact: admin@africanjournalists.org;* 

*cajournalists@gmail.com*

*Tel of Secretary : +254 786 396 945;  Tel of President:+250 738 286 581*