Bokouamanga Hugues Christian was born in Motomkoba in Congo Brazzaville. He completed his Baccalaureate in 1995 in Congo Brazzaville and went on to do his degree in Political and Justice Studies at l'université Marien Ngouabi in Congo Brazzaville. It was here that he obtained his Masters degree in Law with a focus on Public Law. In 1997 after the war in Congo his passion for international law pushed him to do research on: "The Law and its Impact on Crimes against Humanity in Congo Brazzaville"; and also "Diplomatic relations between Congo and France from 1970 to 1997".

From 1999 to 2000 Bokouamanga worked at the Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches Chrétienne in Brazzaville, after which he entered the Jesuit Novitiate in Boufoussam, Cameroon. During his noviciate he worked extensively with street youth in Douala, Cameroon on human rights education, apprenticeship and professional training.

After completing his novitiate in 2002, he went on to do his studies in philosophy at la Faculté de Philosophies de la Compagnie de Jésus in Kimwenza, Democratic Republic of Congo. Bokouamanga’s research continued his passion for the law by focusing on ethics, and he was the president of the Commission Foi et Justice (Faith and Justice Commission). A number of his articles were published at this time in the publication Afrique d’espérance, including Les guerres civiles en Afrique : affaires d’intérêts égoïstes.

In 2004 he completed his studies in philosophy and left to work in N'Djamena, Chad at the Centre Emmanuel where he taught philosophy and religion to elementary and secondary school students. During this time, he was a member of the Peace and Justice Commission of the Diocese of N’Djamena. Bokouamanga moved to Abidjan in 2006 to begin his studies in theology at the Jesuit Institute of Theology in Abidjan. His thesis was on Theology and the Political Engagement of the Clergy : The case of Congo Brazzaville.

In 2008 he served as an interim project director for the Jesuit Refugee Service in Koukou Angarana, Chad. Since 2009 he has been working on his Masters degree in Canon Law at the University of Ottawa, St Paul’s University. Bokouamanga is currently hosted by Ogilvie Residence of the Ottawa Jesuit Community.

Reflecting with CJI staff on his impressions and aspirations for Canada-Africa relations, Bokouamanga had this to say:

From your experience so far, how do you think Canada can contribute to greater justice and peace in Africa? I think one important contribution that Canada can make is through demanding and enforcing the highest ethical conduct of the Canadian NGOs, and private enterprises working in Africa. One of the greatest threats to justice and peace lies in the desperation often brought about by extreme poverty. Canada can play a role in the struggle for greater food security through its support for farming and farmers cooperatives across the continent.

At the academic level, there should be greater collaboration between Canadian educational institutions, lawyers, engineers, and other such specialists and their African counterparts. This exchange of experiences and ideas will create an informed basis for dialogue and to think together about the promotion of justice, peace and development in the world and especially in Africa. The Canadian government can influence the African countries, which need its help, to respect the principles of good governance, International and national laws, human rights, to fight corruption.

What role do you think CJI and other like organizations can play in building links of solidarity between Africa and Canada? I think that CJI and other NGOs, members of the Canadian civil society, must strive to be more informed about the practices and impacts of Canadian policy and businesses in Africa. Having the right information, they can inform the Canadian taxpayers who have the power to call for change where needed. CJI should increase its collaboration with a wider variety of Canadian and African NGOs, use its links inside and outside of the Jesuit communities to foster equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships

How do you think you can contribute to building these links of solidarity as an African Jesuit while you are here in Canada? I am very interested in the building and strengthening the relationships between the various actors in Africa and in Canada. As an African Jesuit in Canada I can act as part of the link to bring these people together through the work of CJI or other like minded organizations.

What message do you have for Canadians about Africa? I would remind Canadians that even though Africa is very rich in human and natural resources, it has had a history, largely characterized by the extraction of these very resources. In more recent times, the actions of some multinational corporations and nations in collusion with some corrupt African leaders have turned the continent into a victim of the ideologies and injustice of international community. It is also equally a victim of its own children who organise the coups, the wars, the violation and abuse of the human rights, the great corruption, and the bad management of public business. It is also the continent of future, with its biodiversity, rich ecology, natural resources, and people actively seeking new and creative ways to be equal participants in the global economy. We need leaders at every level, who are able and committed to justice and peace and are able to work together with the international community towards the political, social and economic development of African nations.