Basic Human Rights and the Humanitarian Crises in Sub-Saharan Africa

"Humanitarian crises in the Great Lakes Region of Africa have resulted in massive suffering and displacement. In Basic Human Rights and the Humanitarian Crises in Sub-Saharan Africa, Gabriel Msoka offers a rich and incisive account of the legal and moral claim-rights of refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Msoka explores the scope and limits of modern "rights talk" and draws upon theological resources in proposing a constructive account of the human rights of the forcibly displaced. This is an important and all too timely book."

- William O'Neill, SJ, Assistant Professor of Social Ethics, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley



"Msoka's book honors the memory of those promoting the basic human rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Great Lakes region of Sub-Saharan Africa. With the passion and vision of one who is a native of Tanzania, a country hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring countries, Msoka brings first hand knowledge and insight to the plight and anguish of these displaced persons. Msoka calls for the countries of Africa and the entire international community to identify and protect the basic human rights of displaced persons, and to consider this a moral duty of the highest priority. His treatment of the biblically inspired social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church as a basis for implementing these basic human rights is especially forceful and compelling. Msoka's powerful final thought--that victims and persecutors are called upon to make a change of heart and embrace each other as children of God, redeemed by Christ the proto-ancestor--is valid not only for the tragedy of the displaced persons of Sub Saharan Africa, but for the well being of all humanity.

--Sylvan Capitani, Pastor, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, New Freedom, PA