Ben Affleck speaks out about Eastern Congo ahead of Senate testimony

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Academy award-winning actor and activist Ben Affleck met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday in Washington ahead of his Senate testimony concerning Africa's Great Lakes region.

Affleck is the founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative, a U.S.-based advocacy group that encourages public and private partnerships to help fund local organizations and leaders in Eastern Congo with "necessary resources to heal and sustain their communities." ECI is also committed to raising public awareness and influencing public policy, including increased U.S. government involvement in Congo.

Prior to offering testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Affleck stopped off at the State Department where he offered a glimpse into what he plans to say to the Senate:

"... in short it is in fact that while -- this is a region that’s suffered enormous damage and trauma. And this fire is now abating a little bit, and we have a window where engagement on the part of Secretary, the President, the Congress all collectively can make a real difference. And I think historically, there’s an instinct to sort of put out one fire and go to the next fire. And this is a point where we can act to prevent the fire from igniting again."

Affleck will offer testimony along with former U.S. Senator and current Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region Russ Feingold.

[State Department]