Africa Region

URI Africa has been a cornerstone region for our global network since URI’s inception. Our 95 Cooperation Circles in 25 countries in Africa face a host of challenges unique to the continent’s diversity, from corrupt governments and serious human rights violations to the devastation of HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty.

African CCs organize across faiths to create solutions at the community level by helping people with job training and micro-enterprise, access to healthcare, peacebuilding and conflict resolution in areas torn apart by civil war and tribal conflicts. CCs also provide direct help for AIDS orphans, and for the repatriation of victims of war. At the heart of much of this work is the commitment to increasing civic participation at all levels of society. Regional Coordinator for Africa, Ambassador Mussie Hailu, has been actively raising the visibility of URI in Africa, through the URI Africa Peace Prize and the Golden Rule Campaign, and by representing URI at the Africa Union.

• Mussie Hailu, PhD., Africa Continental Coordinator - Ambassador Mussie Hailu is a peace activist who serves many national and international organizations including the United Nations. Currently in his capacity as Regional Director of URI for Africa, he represents URI at the Economic Commission for Africa and African Union.
• Despina Namwembe, Coordinator for Great Lakes - Ms. Namwembe is a trained social scientist who leads national and international events that motivate people to act on issues of concern.
• Joyce Ng’oma, Coordinator for Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania - Joyce Deliwe Ng'oma is a highly regarded radio broadcaster and grassroots community activist in Malawi, and a founding leader of the URI in Africa. Her work in education, health and community development engages people of all ages and builds bridges across faith divides.