In the call for articles for this issue ‘African Environments: A Restless People’, the board of Chiedza invited articles that reflect on issues related to ecology and migration emphasizing the African context. Our intention was to provide a platform for discussion around various factors that are responsible for migration and ecological crises in Africa. These two phenomena can be independent of one another but sometimes they appear to be inseparable. Because of this frequent connection the editors of Chiedza used “environments” to provide the context to consider them. Though most of our contributors chose to write on the ecological crisis, all essays that are contained in this issue stresses the importance of tracing the patterns migration takes and the different manifestations of the ecological crisis. To assess these phenomena, they do it at different dimensions such as philosophical, theological, sociological, etc. Then, they complement their work with suggestions of various ways through which we can remediate to the aforementioned crises.
Elaigwu Ameh explores the concept of nudity within the lived context of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. His objective is to argue that ‘in nudity, both in its iteration as a feeling of exposure and as a metaphor for human nature, lies not only an effective lens for examining the multifaceted lived experience of IDPs but also the capacity for IDPs themselves to transform their lives and living conditions.’ Also, he evaluates the necropolitical world order as an important framework that lead to the understanding of the exclusion from the common good that IDPs face. Then he assesses how, in such a necropolitical context, the IDPs’ bodies become instruments of resistance. One of the first contributors to consider issues related with ecology is Kevin Shijja Kuhumba. In his paper, he evaluates the ecological crisis in contemporary society and suggests that this phenomenon impedes the program of sustainable development. Thus, as he draws insights from Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ and argues that, in order to achieve sustainable development, two ethical imperatives have to be adopted. These ethical principles are ‘ethics of responsibility, and a paradigm shift towards a stewardship in management of sustainable resources.’
For his part, Jean-Luc Mulyanga Lupinda, writing in French, evaluates the interdependency between the ecological crisis and migration. In his essay, he argues that, as far as Africa is concerned, the ecological crisis is a phenomenon which is not separated from the social crisis. In order to examine these correlations of patterns between ecological and social crises, he evaluates the place of human beings in the universe and their relationship with their environment. His purpose is to conscientize Africans into taking care of their environments in all their dimensions be it ecological or social or economic. For him, by taking care of the African environment, Africans will overcome the migration crisis. Robert Ssekyanzi uses Sacred Scriptures to contribute to a theology that promotes environmental protection. In his paper, he argues that ‘it is plausible to talk about the end of world without creating anxiety, fear, and indifference among people, with a view of promoting responsible use and care of the environment’.
Carolyne S. Mudeje Buya focuses on indigenous African morality and its critical role in enhancing ecological responsibility for sustainable development in Africa. Her aim is to advocate for a way forward for promoting ecological responsibility for sustainable development in Africa. For Ivan Kivinge, to take care of the environment also involves the protection of certain human rights. It is in this line that he evaluates environmental issues that hinder human rights. He ends his paper by proposing a possible panacea to the environmental crisis through education, researches and the process of implementing environmental laws.
Djérareou Éric, writing in French, analyses various problems that are part of the contemporary reality of the African continent. Most especially, his thought-provoking paper examines the economic status of the former French colonies in West Africa. He sets as his task to reveal the operating mechanism and what he calls the ‘economicide politics’ behind the West African CFA franc. Charles Pastory Kulwa examines the impact of trade policy reforms or domestic policies on Smallholder Farmers and Food Security in the East African Community with a focus on the cases of Kenya and Tanzania. Victor Mureithi in his poem Restlessness, bring out the complexity of the African political and social reality.
We are grateful to the contributors who submitted these insightful papers, book reviews and poems. My gratitude also goes to the Chiedza Journal editorial board members for their availability, efforts and valuable help. My profound gratitude to Prof. Anthony Chennells, for his support and precious pieces of advice. I would like to express my gratitude to Christian Ekesiobi for helping out with the designing of this issue and to various students who helped us in various ways. Also, I acknowledge the support of the administration of Arrupe Jesuit University for their pleasant collaboration with the Editorial Board.
Finally, to you our readers, happy reading!

Hubert Niyonkuru, SJ

Editor