The following is meant as a principled critique of the current African Union 6th Region mobilization efforts that have recently received some attention. I am in a position to make such a critique because I was the first person of African descent born in the United States to start any African Union 6th Region initiative following the history Amendment 3(q) to the African Union Constitution recognizing and inviting the African Diaspora in the building of the African Union and a United States of Africa. You can read my history here: THE BALANTA FOUNDER OF THE AFRICAN UNION 6TH REGION CAMPAIGN. In addition, I also posted HOW THE AFRICAN UNION WAS ESTABLISHED TO INCLUDE THE AFRICAN DIASPORA.
There is a video I made at the bottom of this post.
The point of this post is to bring to awareness that the current African Union 6th Region mobilization efforts are a continuation of past failed African Union efforts to make good on the historic African Union Article 3(q) amendment that officially, “invite(s) and encourage(s) the full participation of Africans in the Diaspora in the building of the African Union in its capacity as an important part of our Continent.” From this decision, the African Diaspora would become designated as the 6th Region of the African Union.”
IT SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR THAT DESPITE THEIR RHETORIC, WHEN THE AFRICAN UNION SPEAKS ABOUT THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, THEY DO NOT MEAN DESCENDANTS OF AFRICAN PEOPLE WHO WERE ENSLAVED IN THE AMERICAS. THE TERM “AFRICAN UNION 6TH REGION DIASPORA” IS FUNCTIONING AS CODE FOR AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS.
I have a long history of Pan African works and I am in no way a supporter of #ADOS anti-immigrant or anti-Pan African rhetoric. However, I have consistently made a principled critique of their failure to prioritize mobilization of the grassroots activist community in the United States. In 2003, I published an 80-page paper for the African Caribbean Self-Help Foundation entitled “Towards Rastafari Repatriation By The Ethiopian Millennium II: Working Within the African Union 6th Region Diaspora Initiative”. This paper traced the evolution of AU programs to combat “brain drain”. I also submitted a paper to THE CODESRIA 30th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM, East Africa Sub Regional Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia October 30-31 2003 that critiqued the AU 6th Region Diaspora Initiative:
“As we all know, the historic African Diaspora in the United States is the result of the European Slave Trade that resulted in millions of people being taken from the African continent. Often, the causes, problems and solutions to the African brain drain leave out this population with most of the emphasis and research on the contemporary African Diaspora." [Venney 2002]
About a month ago, I started noticing a lot of Facebook post about the African Diaspora Division from a group called the African Unity Sixth Region USA founded by Dr. Queen Blessing Itua, Global Empowerment Ambassador and multi-award-winning Nigerian-American Author. According to their website,
“The African Unity Sixth Region USA Foundation is the official non-profit organization established to mobilize, galvanize, organize and structure the African Diaspora. . . . The AU6RUSA will engage the African Union through regular consultations with CIDO to review the implementation of the Work Program and to establish new areas for cooperation
AU6RUSA ensures that activities align with the African Union Declaration, legacy projects, flagship projects, agenda 2063 within the Work Program of the AU6RUSA. AU6RUSA will work with the CIDO of the African Union.”
What kind of organization is this?
Meanwhile, I started receiving posts from another Facebook group called Region 6 of the African Union - The Diaspora. The Facebook page says “State of the African Diasopora” but the listed website is www.melidaharrisbarrow.com/mobilization.
Previously, if you clicked the above URL, you were taken to a website that had a big banner that stated, “The Vice Prime Minister of the STATE OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA Dr. Melida Harris Barrow”. Their facebook posts gave the impression of being “Official”.
So, I eagerly clicked on their Mobilization sign-up page looking to get involved. On October the 14th I received my first email with the following flyer:
Looks “Official”, right?
They advertised that the STATE OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA SUMMIT listed the following activities Diaspora Bio-metric ID Card, Launching of the European Parliament, Launching of ECO-6 (Economic Community of African Unions Region 6), Launching of the State of the African Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, EXPOCOMER Panama Trade Mission ,Diaspora Investment in Agriculture. Follow-up emails I received on October 20th and 28th advertised this:
With all the apparent activity going on, and with my background having been the first to attempt the AU 6th Region mobilization, I really wanted to get involved. So I started posting on Facebook, emailing and calling The Vice Prime Minister Melida Harris Barrow of the 6th Region State of the African Diaspora wanting to assist in doing outreach to the grassroots organizations and leaders in the African American community. Specifically, I wanted to know what was the criteria or eligibility requirements for serving on the Pan African Parliament, North America branch. My interest in this is a direct response to my involvement with the original election process for the 6th Region Diaspora’s representatives to the African Union’s Economic, Social, and Cultural Council, an elections process which I supervised. It was a disaster (see email below). So I wanted to make sure the mobilization and selection/election was done correctly this time and did not exclude the descendants of African people who were brought to the Americas and enslaved. Unfortunately, I got no response from The Vice Prime Minister Melida Harris Barrow of the 6th Region.
Meanwhile, her office was posting on Facebook items that were either misleading or factually incorrect. In my effort to correct the mistakes, I was banned from their Facebook group. Thus, on October 25th, I posted the following message to every Pan African and Black Conscious group I was involved with:
“URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS INTERESTED IN THE AU 6TH REGION DIASPORA INITIATIVE
Today I made a blog post about a group called Region 6 of The African Union - The Diaspora. This group has been claiming it represents the African Diaspora at the African Union. I have been making comments on several of their posts because, having been the original director of the AU 6th Region Education Campaign back in 2006-2007, I have a deep insight into the development of the Diaspora Initiative and can thus give a particular historical commentary. Needless to say, this group did not take kindly to my constructive criticism and have since blocked me from the group in an effort to silence my constructive critique. I am sending this out to the various Facebook groups so that you can get the full perspective on what is happen and I am open to any questions you may have. For background, you can read these two posts: 1) THE BALANTA FOUNDER OF THE AFRICAN UNION 6TH REGION CAMPAIGN and 2) HOW THE AFRICAN UNION WAS ESTABLISHED TO INCLUDE THE AFRICAN DIASPORA.
Below are screenshots from their Facebook Group which they have now removed. I have reached out to try to work with them but they are intent on trying to discredit me. Consider, if this is how they are going to deal with constructive criticism from members of the AU 6th Region which they claim to represent, if they are going to try and censor, then their suitability must be questioned.
Don't allow them to censure me. PLEASE SPREAD WIDELY. Please contact them and ask them why they are not allowing constructive criticism.”
Being from Chicago and having worked with activists there, including the National Coalition for Blacks for Reparations (NCOBRA) which hosted regular meetings at the Washington Park Field House, as well as being an active member of the Rastafari community in Chicago and well known to the folks at the Center for Inner City Studies, I was surprised to see that at the State of the African Diaspora’s upcoming event in Chicago, none of the leaders of the grassroots organizations were listed as special invited guests or honorees. Moreover, there were no ADOS people listed except high ranking politicians. Everyone else was African or Caribbean immigrant. While I have nothing against them, in a city of over a million black people, they couldn’t have invited one person whose parents were born in the United States? With all the black youth in Chicago, they invited the son of African immigrants? They couldn’t have invited two? It was not a good look for the State of the African Diaspora so I wanted to help them. On October 28th, I sent the following email:
Finally, a day later, I finally received a response and responded:
When I received no further response from The Vice Prime Minister Dr. Melinda Barrows, I made two follow-up phone calls and left messages which were never returned. I reminded her, that I had just been appointed the Regional Director, North America for the African Sports Ventures Group. With my background, business success and position with ASVG, one would think that I am exactly the kind of member of the African Diaspora that they would want to communicate with. . . .
Recently, the website for the Vice Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora has changed and now it looks like this:
There is now no African Union logo as there once was, and the pretense to be THE VICE PRIME MINISTER OF THE STATE OF THE AFRICAN UNION has been reduced to fine print…. Nevertheless, the State of the African Diaspora has a new website. According to the website:
“In 2014, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President-in-Office of the African Union gave a mandate to Louis-Georges Tin, chairperson of the CRAN, to set up the African Diaspora, to “give substance” to the Sixth Region:
“You wished to attract our attention about your project that aims to give substance to the 6th region of the African Union(…). The interview I had with you and the information that we collected about your activities gave me the assurance of the major role the CRAN can play to contribute to the implementation of the programs of development of our Continent. “
Since then, with an international team, Louis-Georges Tin has formed the State of the African Diaspora, a Constitution, a Government, and launched many development projects.
The State was officially lunched on July 1st 2018, during the Summit of the African Union in Mauritania. It is already recognized by Mauritania, by the Maroon States of Jamaica, by the Democratic Republic of Congo, and more and more States from Africa and the Diaspora are willing to cooperate with the State of the African Diaspora.”
So wait a minute. As noted above, The African Unity Sixth Region USA Foundation (which lists no Board of Directors, Advisors, Elders, Champions or Commissioners) has a mandate from The African Union's Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) to be the official non-profit organization established to mobilize, galvanize, organize and structure the African Diaspora. Meanwhile, Former AU President-in-Office gave Louis-George, president of the Conseil représentatif des associations noires de France (CRAN), whose “career has largely focused on the fight against homophobia in France”, a mandate to establish “the State of the African Diaspora, a Constitution, a Government, and launch many development projects.” What is the relationship of The African Unity Sixth Region USA Foundation and CRAN’s State of the African Diaspora?
At the 2019 SRDC International Summit, October 25-26, 2019, Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. David Horne, of the Pan Afrikan Organizing Committee, who, was the first to partner with my AU 6th Region Education Campaign, made the following remarks:
“I just got a call this morning from our representative in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Most of you know Line because she comes to most all of our Conferences. She said a French representative, somebody working in president Macron’s office, just came to visit Guadeloupe this week, and brought with him this young man called Louis Tin, who is now representing himself as the Prime Minister of the Diaspora, which means nothing. He can’t be the Prime Minister of air. He needs some territory, he needs some property. But he’s going around the world representing himself as the Prime Minister of us. He didn’t ask us, we didn’t elect him to anything, but he is putting his name out and his personage out, representing that. We had a quick discussion about that last night. Line was concerned that the French are coming up with an approach toward Pan-Afrikanism to make sure they keep it confused. To keep us fighting over non-issues. Sis. Maisha [Washington, Maryland Council of Elders] was telling me last night, we don’t need to fall for the hype. We don’t need to get distracted and go chase the mouse down the hole, down the rabbit hole. But we need to understand that Pan-Afrikanism is working in this world and in our countries, and there are people who will fight tooth and nail to kill it. They have no interest in Afrikan people uniting. None. . . . . The Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus was created in response to the invitation that the African Union made to the Diaspora to come back home, to come back and join this effort to build a union, to build a coming-back-together, to build something that the world has not seen. The Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus has been at this for a few years. This is our twelfth annual conference. We’ve done a lot of talking. Had a lot of meetings. We are now on the road to Let’s Do Something! Let’s demonstrate what we mean by getting something tangible done.“
UPDATE:
After I posted this blog article, Ms. Keturah Amoaka, “Vice Prime Minister & Minister of Repatriation (Africa) of the State of the African Diaspora reached out to me. Here is the conversation:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <amoako@stateofafricandiaspora.com>
Date: Thu, May 28, 2020 at 7:39 PM
Subject: Your Blog Queries December 2019
Dear Mr Baleka
We trust that you are well in these very challenging times we are currently experiencing.
We are writing to you again at this time in an effort of pan-African solidarity to answer your many queries narrated in your blog
After reading, yes, we totally agree with you that it is extremely confusing. However, we certainly do commend your diligent research, investigations and pursuit in trying to obtain the correct information in order to navigate the many entities and organisations that make up the 6th Region in order for you to support the movement.
Therefore, to alleviate any further confusion and frustration, we would be most happy to enter into a dialogue with you at a mutually convenient time in the hope that we can join forces and become stronger in our Pan-African pursuit of unity and liberation.
Please see below my WhatsApp number, and look forward to engage with you at your earliest convenience.
With Kind regards,
Ms Keturah Amoako
Vice Prime Minister &Minister of Repatriation (Africa)
State of the African Diaspora
E: amoako@stateofafricandiaspora.com W:www.stateofafricandiaspora.com
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Siphiwe Baleka
Date: Thu, May 28, 2020 at 8:45 PM
Subject: Re: Your Blog Queries December 2019
To: <amoako@stateofafricandiaspora.com>
Greetings Ms. Amoako, Please use this link to schedule a call with me. ….
Respectfully,
Siphiwe Baleka, CPT
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <amoako@stateofafricandiaspora.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 10:13 AM
Subject: Re: Your Blog Queries December 2019
Dear Mr Baleka
Further to my WhatsApp message, my apologies once again for having to cancel our meeting.
However, the lines of communication are open via email.
In terms of the State of the African Diaspora, I attach our State brochure for your perusal.
Our website is at https://www.stateofafricandiaspora.com/
Unfortunately, I am unable to speak about the other organisations that you mention in your blog. However, the main motivation of the State is to collaborate/alliance with the other 6th Region entities and PanAfrican Organisations, civil society etc. so that we are all working together in cohesion and in unity so that the 6th Region of the African Union speaks with one voice.
Should you have any specific questions about the State of the African Diaspora, I would be very glad to assist you.
Kind regards
Ms Keturah Amoako
Vice Prime Minister &Minister of Repatriation (Africa)
State of the African Diaspora
E: amoako@stateofafricandiaspora.com W:www.stateofafricandiaspora.com
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Siphiwe Baleka
Date: Thu, Jun 4, 2020 at 2:56 PM
Subject: Questions for the State of the African Diaspora
To: <amoako@stateofafricandiaspora.com>
Greetings Ms. Amoaka. Please review and respond to my attached letter in lieu of our canceled appointment. I sent it to you via WhatsApp as well.
Respectfully,
Siphiwe Baleka
June 4, 2020
Greetings Ms. Keturah Amoako,
It is unfortunate that you canceled our scheduled meeting today. I was looking forward to getting a better understanding of the State of the African Diaspora, herein referred to as “SAD”. As you know, it is too easy for misunderstandings to develop when people don’t talk to each other. Nevertheless, you stated that “communication are open via email,” so I take this time to avail myself. I write to you in my capacity as the original Director of the African Union 6th Region Education Campaign, the first entity to be tasked with building the African Union 6th Region Diaspora following the historic African Union adoption of Article 3(q) to their constitution, February 3-4, 2003 at which I was present.
I will ask my questions directly and then express my concerns.
QUESTIONS
1. What mandate, beyond the statement made in 2014 by Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President-in-Office of the African Union, does the SAD have to serve as the Government of the Diaspora recognized by the African Union?
2. Is there any official African Union document appointing, stating, or recognizing the SAD Government? (If yes, please provide).
3. According to the African Union, the Diaspora Division “serves as the focal point and hub for implementing the African Union decision to invite and encourage the African Diaspora to participate in the building and development of the African continent.” What is the relationship between SAD and the Diaspora Division under The Citizens & Diaspora Directorate Office (CIDO), which is responsible for “for implementing the AU's engagement with non-state actors through the involvement of the diaspora and civil society”?
4. What is the relationship between SAD and the Civil Society Division for the Diaspora which is the counterpart to the above Diaspora Division (#3)?
5. How were SAD Ministers elected?
6. Has the African Union agreed to accept or recognize the SAD Identity Card?
7. Outside of SAD, does any government accept or recognize the SAD Identity Card in lieu of a visa?
8. What outreach was done to the traditional, recognized, and credible Pan African and Black Nationalist grassroots organizations and leaders in the United States when the SAD Government was forming? Who was contacted and what was their response.
CONCERNS (with further questions)
1. The original path for officially integrating the AU 6th Region into the functioning of the African Union was through three mechanisms: first, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC); second, the Pan African Parliament and third, the Panel of the Wise of the Peace and Security Council. I do not see where SAD is educating African Americans about this nor functioning through these entities. Towards that end, what role did SAD play in the AU-ECOSOC Civil Society Pre-Summit Consultations, December 10-12, 2019 in Gaborone, Botswana?
2. When looking at the SAD events that were held in Chicago and Dallas (or Houston?), none of those city’s recognized Pan African or Black Nationalist leaders were included on the program. Why is that?
3. The proper path for establishing a government of the AU 6th Region is a “people centered approach” through the Diaspora civil society organizations. This is the path that the AU 6th Region Education Campaign followed and rejected the idea of prematurely forming a “government” for the AU 6th Region. The aim of such an approach is to first inform AU 6th Region people through its civil society organizations, who would COLLECTIVELY decide how best to pursue working with CIDO through the Diaspora Division to formally place representatives in ECOSOCC, the Pan African Parliament and the Peace and Security Council while simultaneously building a single AU 6th Region Structure that would THEN vote and elect COORDINATORS for any AU 6th Region nascent government.
It appears that SAD has abandoned this approach and has chosen to form a Government for a “virtual” state and is now seeking to get recognition for the SAD Government already formed. In our estimation, this is the wrong way to try and develop the AU 6th Region. People must feel that they have a stake in building a government. Offering membership in the SAD Parliament after SAD Government Officials have already been selected is like putting the cart before the horse. Such approaches to establishing governments have failed.
4. Several of my associates attended your virtual presentation on Africa Day, an event I was scheduled to be a keynote speaker but withdrew from. These associates reported back to me and we all became concerned when we realized what was happening. It is our conclusion that SAD is misrepresenting itself and its relationship with the African Union and is creating great expectations that is going to result in disaster. As an example, SAD uses words, phrases and images that evoke the AU. Naturally, such an association “elevates” the status of SAD. On the SAD website where it discusses the ECO-6 Passport, it links to an article entitled “African Union Passports To Be Rolled Out by 2020”. SAD is well aware that it’s ID and ECO-6 Passport is not in any way connected to any proposed AU Passport, yet the association continues to be promoted. My concern is that the average black American, who knows little about the AU, will simply think that the SAD ID Card and ECO-6 Passport is how they get citizenship in African and that this will provide the same functions as a United States Passport. I think it SAD needs to take great lengths to clarify that its ID Card and ECO-6 Passport is only a SAD institutional document.
5. I understand the need for SAD to raise funds for its projects and initiatives. However, to do so by leveraging a mis-stated association with the African Union is approaching fraud. I urge SAD to clarify this. If you want to raise money for your projects, why not do it directly? Why the need to link it to the aspirations of the Diaspora to get citizenship and passports issued by the AU when that is clearly not in the offing by the AU at this moment.
6. My repeated attempts to discuss these issues with SAD and help SAD were ignored which is what prompted my blog post calling attention to what was then, the current state of AU 6th Region shenanigans. Until now, no one from SAD has spoken with me which, I believe, is the appropriate thing to do.
7. It is because of my experience in trying to develop the AU 6th Region and working with CIDO, that I am attempting to help SAD. Like SAD, I had a “weak” mandate from the African Union. In December 2002, the AU established the Western Hemisphere Diaspora Network (WHADN), hosted by the Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA)”as the functional interface mechanism with the AU”. It was for this reason that the AU 6th Region Education Campaign that was created in December of 2005 signed a memorandum of understanding with (WHADN) and thus The AU 6th Region Campaign thought itself in conformity with the processes and procedures approved by the African Union. This belief was continually affirmed by FDA/WHADN up until March of 2007 as outlined in Report to the African Diaspora RE: AU 6th Region & ECOSOCC Elections. As my blog post documented, the African Union’s commitment and outreach to the AU 6th regions has been nothing more than a ball of confusion fueled by political intrigue and tradition African elitism which is preventing the proper development of the AU6th Region.
Ms. Amoaka, I hope that in the real spirit of Pan Africanism, you will take the time to answer my questions directly and thoroughly and that you will accept my constructive criticism not as antagonistic, but as genuine, in hopes of establishing the full citizenship and participation of the Au 6th Region in a United States of Africa. It was such a passion that I brought with me to the African Union Grand Debate in Accra, Ghana, where, having negotiated the citizenship issues of the Rastafari community in Ethiopia, I worked on the civil society’s effort to realized an African Union Passport that included AU 6th Region people.
I look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
Siphiwe Baleka, President
Balanta B'urassa History & Genealogy Society in America
Senior Heritage Ambassador, Director of Research and Development Balanta United House of Ancestry
African Sports Ventures Group, North American Regional Director
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <amoako@stateofafricandiaspora.com>
Date: Sat, Jun 13, 2020 at 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: Questions for the State of the African Diaspora
To: Siphiwe Baleka
Dear Mr Baleka
Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you. We have been extremely busy with many issues and as you will be very aware, with the George Floyd murder, we have had to take action in this matter, as well as our current issue with restitution of stolen and looted African artifacts pillaged during colonization, which are being illegally sold in upcoming auctions.
Therefore, in light of your very detailed letter, please allow me to inform you of the following:-
The State of the African Diaspora is created to be an International Governmental Organisation or Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO). IGOs are established by a treaty that acts as a charter creating the group. We are a Member State signed under a Treaty composed of other sovereign states, nations, territories and realms of the African Diaspora 6th Region, also referred to as (The Economic Community of the 6th Region - ECO-6), Therefore, as an IGO we are consistently engaged in forming an international legal personality through diplomatic relations with many countries in Africa and in the Diaspora.
The State is still in its infancy and thus many of our programs and initiatives have just been released, such as our ID Card announced on African Liberation Day 2020. However, in due time and when the required conditions are met and realised, we will apply to the UN for official accreditation.
Therefore, in this context, I do not believe we fit the criteria by which the African Union organs ECOSOCC, CIDO etc. wishes to engage with us, despite our attempts to do so. In fact, the AU is an intergovernmental organisation itself. That said, however, as an IGO, through our activities with individual Member States of the African Union and participating in projects geared towards AU Agenda 2063, we still seek and are hopeful to receive AU recognition in due course. We have secured recognition as a State from 3 African countries thus far and others are forthcoming.
Thus, please allow me to alleviate your concerns that the Diaspora worldwide is very much represented within the State and we have many pan-african organisational members that are instituted in and partnered with the State, for instance, the Ethiopian World Federation, as one example.
Even though I did not address your specific questions as presented, I hope this provides you with some clarity on our mission to help to organise and unify the 6th Region of Africa.
You may find more information on our website and particularly at our FAQs at:
https://www.stateofafricandiaspora.com/faq/
We thank you for your enquiry and we wish you well in these very challenging times.
---
With Kind regards,
Ms Keturah Amoako
Vice Prime Minister &Minister of Repatriation (Africa)
State of the African Diaspora
YOU CAN JUDGE FOR YOURSELF WHETHER MS. AMOAKO DIRECTLY AND SUFFICIENTLY ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS….
Adding to the confusion is the AUSIXREGION.org website and the recent dismissal of H.E Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao MD from her post as the AU Ambassador To The United States of America, the legitimate voice of the African Union to people in the United States. Watch the video from their recent conference in Dallas this past weekend. Look and listen to who is there. Where are the grassroots leaders of the descendants of people from Africa who were enslaved in the United States?
What should be clear at this point is that a lot of activity and decisions are being made in the name of the African Union 6th Region and descendants of people from Africa who were enslaved in America are nothing but an afterthought. They have not been included in the decision making process and they are being left out of the events.
I know all about this, having worked as a journalist covering events at the African Union in 2003 and working directly with The African Union's Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) when they did the same thing back then - they gave different mandates to different groups to do different thing, grassroots leaders in the United States were largely excluded until I started working with Dr. David Horne of the LA-based Pan African Organizing Committee and together through earlier mandates given by Dr. Jimni Adisa of CIDO. It was chaos and confusion. Want the receipts documenting this? Here they are, emails sent to me while I was known as Ras Nathaniel (later named legally changed to Siphiwe Baleka) while I was serving as the Director of the AU 6Th Region Education Campaign in 2007:
Three messages concerning the 6th Region of the African Union
From the AU
From: "CIDO" <cido@africa-union.org > Date: May 29, 2007 9:02:07 A M E D T To : " A U 6 t h R e g i o n E d u c a t i o n C a m p a i g n "<ras.nathaniel@yahoo.com >
Cc: Subject: Re: CIDO Re: ECOSOCC election process
Thanks for your e-mail of 24 May 2007 in response to the e-mail of the ECOSOCC Secretariat on the same. It is a mark of regard and respect that the Commission has for the enthusiasm of your organization and its apparent commitment to the Diaspora Initiative that we are also responding. Since most of the issues raised in your latest correspondence focus on the Diaspora programme and Diaspora representation in ECOSOCC, I would like to offer the following clarifications:
1. The issue of Diaspora representation in ECOSOCC must conform to established AU rules and processes, including those pertaining to the Diaspora programme. Legislative authority for AU activities is derived from decisions of AU Executive Organs. These organs are currently the Assembly, Executive Council and where so delegated, the Permanent Representative Committee of Ambassadors, the Commission and other appropriate organs such as PAP and ECOSOCC. The mandate of those organs spells out the degree and scope of their legislative authority.
2. Secondly, and deriving from this, the various workshops, consultative meetings and forums and conversation pieces that you referred to do not take decisions. They are forums for deliberation that feed inputs to the Commission for consideration of the policy organs that then take decisions. The decisions can take into account, repudiate or discountenance the recommendations as they deem appropriate. For instance, the Technical Workshop held in Port of Spain put forward a series of recommendations on Modalities for enhancing partnership between the Union and the Diaspora. The most important was the definition of the Diaspora. The Executive Council at its 6th Ordinary Session in Banjul rejected the recommendation and decided to refer the issues to a Meeting of Experts of Experts of Member States (see attachment). It is important therefore, that you follow up on decisions and where, in doubt, consult with our Washington Office for such information in your region and later, CIDO and/or the ECOSOCC Secretariat in the Commission, if you require further information.
3. It is also clear from your presentation that you perceive your mandate and authority as derived from WHADN. In this regard, you make three explicit claims as follows:
a) “It is our understanding that the AU established WHADN in December 2002” as the functional interface mechanism with the AU”. You cite a press release of 2003 to establish this.
b) Therefore it was for this reason that the AU 6th Region Education Campaign that was created in December of 2005 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Western Hemisphere Diaspora Network (WHADN)
c) The AU 6th Region Campaign did establish itself in conformity with the processes and procedures approved by the African Union as outlined in a) above.
4. It is important to note that AU decisions are not press releases. It is also clear that you are not familiar with the origin, scope and mandate of WHADN. The AU launched its Diaspora initiative in the US with the Washington Forum in December 2002 (Please see enclosure). In his presentation to that meeting, Dr. Adisa as then Head of CSSDCA indicated a desire to establish a Network and a Steering Committee. However, political differences dictated against this and the Conference decided upon two recommendations for Coordinating Body for Western Hemisphere Diaspora as follows:
a) The Meeting recommended that an office of the AU be established in Washington DC.
b) The Meeting also recommended that the Foundation for Democracy in Africa serve as the coordinating body and be given the specific mandate to follow-up on the recommendations of the 1st AU-Western Hemisphere Diaspora Conference and work with the CSSDCA, enhancing the work of other African Diaspora NGOs internationally and in consultation with the AU Office in New York, within the next 18 months (December 2002 – June 2003).
It follows therefore that the Foundation of Democracy, rather than WHADN, was given Secretariat responsibilities for a period of 18 months. That mandate has since expired and was never renewed. The recommendation for the Washington Office has also been taken on Board by the Executive Council which has given it coordinating responsibilities in the US as part of its office functions. Thus I would like to reiterate the point made earlier that the AU has not designated any group as official representative of Western portions of the AU Diaspora connection. This is a matter of fact and public record.
5. You cite the case of CPAN. CPAN was established as an official AU regional network with a mandate to organize civil society activity in the Caribbean. In this regard, it has selected 2 members for ECOSOCC.However, these members have not taken a seat in ECOSOCC and have not been included precisely because of the reasons we gave you about the need for a prior settlement on distribution and modalities for election. It is significant to note however, that CPAN has taken this in stride out of respect for the need to conform with AU processes and procedures. The advise of the Chairperson of the Commission is being considered by the appropriate organs. Dr. Adisa simply made this information available to ECOSOCC as a policy organ in his capacity as Head of the African Citizens Directorate.
6. It seems clear therefore, that as part of the process of involvement in the Diaspora programme and ECOSOCC, it would be useful to become more conversant with AU processes and procedures. We would recommend that you get in touch with our Washington Office for more clarifications as required so that we can work in unison in conformity with AU Diaspora Initiative processes and policies. It is clear that your actions here have been pursued with the noblest of intentions but on the basis of wrong understanding. We believe that the best way of advancing your support of the AU is to amend this understanding and proceed in the appropriate fashion so that we can promote the objectives of solidarity and commonality implicit in the Diaspora initiative.
It is also necessary to state here that we recognize the efforts of WHADN to sensitize African Communities in the US and the Caribbean to the AU Diaspora Initiative. This effort was acknowledged in Executive Council Decision on the Development of the Diaspora Initiative in the African Union (Doc. Ext/EX/CL/5(III) of 2003 which states “ Request(ed) the Commission to work out modalities for mutual cooperation between the African Union and Caricom and other existing formations such as Western Hemisphere Diaspora Network (WHADN).” However, the policy framework has developed and no such modality has been agreed upon. Nor has the African Union assigned responsibility to WHADN or any other group in the US as functional interface with the African Union.
Also, in response to your question, we do not believe that the Credentials Committee can accept three representatives chosen by your organization because elections of Diaspora representatives must be in accordance with established rules and procedures, some of which are yet to be spelt out. We need to establish the procedure for election of the Diaspora representatives, the number to be assigned to each region, the process for election including a prior vetting of qualifications by the Credential Committee.
The mandate of the current interim ECOSOCC Assembly ends in December 2007 and the new Assembly is not programmed to be installed by December 2007 as you claim. This would be done, presumably in early 2008 at a date to be set by the Executive organs. Again, there is issue of the legitimacy of your elections. Have you got a mandate from other Diaspora groups in the US for the elections? What happens if another group says it has elected 4 or 5 or even 10 members for ECOSOCC? A legitimate process and procedure would enable us over some of these hurdles.
Finally, the exchange of information so far has been very enlightening. We also hope it has provided clarifications about the policy process of the African Union. The African Citizens Directorate (CIDO) and the ECOSOCC Secre tariat of the AU Commission are happy to assist in this regard but we also have other and more important policy functions. We would therefore, kindly request that further request for information should be channeled through our Washington Office that has specific responsibility for the sensitization aspect of AU programme in the US. We understand also that they are planning a Roundtable sometime in the second part of the year at which the Commission would be effectively represented to further enlighten the Diaspora public. We are also copying this to Washington Office for information.
I thank you.
Mr. Wuyi Omitoogun Diaspora Officer, CIDO AU Commission
- Chief of Staff, Bureau of the Chairperson - Permanent Representative of the AU in Washington - All members of the Interim Standing Committee of ECOSOCC - ECOSOCC, Secretariat - PrincipalCoordinator, CIDO
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From Ras Nathaniel
"We have been a child, a boy, a youth, an adult, and finally an old man. Like everyone else. Our Lord the Creator made us like everyone else. Maybe you wish to know what kind of youth We were. Well We were a very serious, very diligent, very obedient youth. We were sometimes punished, but do you know why? Because what We were made to study did not seem enough and We wished to study further. We wanted to stay on at school after lessons were over. We were loath to amuse ourselves, to go riding, to play. We didn't want to waste time on games."
-- Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I response to interview question from Oriana Fallaci, Sunday, June 24, 1973
Greetings and Rastafari Blessings to the Rastafari Family Worldwide 103 days, 12 hours, 17 minutes and 41 seconds before the Ethiopian Millennium
I received another letter from African Union officials today and have forwarded a response (see emails below).Despite the negative propaganda, Rastafari is advancing within the African Union. In reference to the AU 6th Region Education Campaign, Ms. Nadia Roguiai and Dr. Francis Ikome of the ECOSOCC Secretariat acknowledged I&I "spirited efforts and commitment to the success of both the Diaspora Initiative." Mr. Wuyi Omitoogun, Diaspora Officer, CIDO/AU Commission added,
"Thanks for your e-mail of 24 May 2007 in response to the e-mail of the ECOSOCC Secretariat on the same. It is a mark of regard and respect that the Commission has for the enthusiasm of your organization and its apparent commitment to the Diaspora Initiative that we are also responding. . . .the exchange of information so far has been very enlightening. We also hope it has provided clarifications about the policy process of the African Union. . . . It is clear that your actions here have been pursued with the noblest of intentions but on the basis of wrong understanding.
We believe that the best way of advancing your support of the AU is to amend this understanding and proceed in the appropriate fashion so that we can promote the objectives of solidarity and commonality implicit in the Diaspora initiative. . . . . We would therefore, kindly request that further request for information should be channeled through our Washington Office that has specific responsibility for the sensitization aspect of AU programme in the US."
This is another example indicative of the Statement and Plan of Action of the South Africa - African Union - Caribbean - Diaspora Conference (March 16-18, 2005) that confirmed that, "The Conference gained a new appreciation of the creative way in which the Rastafarian movement had sustained the vision of the Founders of the OAU, and promoted an African-Caribbean identity and Afro-centric values that strengthened the impulse for African liberation on both sides of the Atlantic, while serving as a positive force for Africa globally"; and "The Rastafari and other movements have served as cultural forces of integration in both the Caribbean and Africa. Their status as agents of sustaining and promoting an African-Caribbean identity and an Afro- centric value system should be recognized as a positive forceof integration." So it was not the motivations, intentions, or work that was wrong, it was the understanding of the African Union policy, procedures and pronouncements that was in error.
More specifically, as it was our understanding that the AU established the Western Hemisphere Diaspora Network (WHADN) in December 2002 ”as the functional interface mechanism with the AU”, it was for this reason that the AU 6th Region Education Campaign that was created in December of 2005 signed a memorandum of understanding with (WHADN) and thus The AU 6th Region Campaign thought itself in conformity with the processes and procedures approved by the African Union. This belief was continually affirmed by FDA/WHADN up until March of 2007 as outlined in Report to the African Diaspora RE: AU 6th Region & ECOSOCC Elections.
Thanks to Mr. Wuyi Omitoogun, it is now known that "In his presentation to that meeting, Dr. Adisa as then Head of CSSDCA indicated a desire to establish a Network and a Steering Committee. However, political differences dictated against this and the Conference decided upon two recommendations for Coordinating Body for Western Hemisphere Diaspora as follows:
a) The Meeting recommended that an office of the AU be established in Washington DC.
b) The Meeting also recommended that the Foundation for Democracy in Africa serve as the coordinating body and be given the specific mandate to follow-up on the recommendations of the 1st AU-WesternHemisphere Diaspora Conference and work with the CSSDCA, enhancing the work of other African Diaspora NGOs internationally and in consultation with the AU Office in New York within the next 18 months (December 2002 – June 2003).
It follows therefore that the Foundation of Democracy, rather than WHADN, was given Secretariat responsibilities for a period of 18 months. That mandate has since expired and was never renewed. Interestingly, all of this could have been clarified by Her Excellency Amina Salum Ali, The African Union Permanent Representative to the United States at the April 2006 Pan African Roundtable in Los Angeles at which I was present. Ms. Ali was invited, but did not attend due to the fact that her appointment had not yet been finalized.
For this I can be forgiven. I have contacted the AU Washington Office, as per the request of the AU Diaspora Officer, and therefore, I&I are now quite certain that I&I are proceeding appropriately and in conformity with the processes and procedures approved by the African Union.
However, how mistaken was the understanding? Consider that, according to three separate entities -- ECOSOCC Secretariat, Diaspora Officer and CIDO, the mistake was not following a procedure that had "yet to be spelt out". At the time, the only procedure from ECOSOCC was "African Diaspora organizations shall establish an appropriate process for determining modalities for elections and elect twenty (20) CSO's to the ECOSOCC General Assembly"; [ECOSOCC Statute Article 5 section 3.]
The African Union webpage announcing the Launch of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of The African Union (ECOSOCC) states, "The impulse is not for the African Union to organize civil society. Rather the organizing principle of the ECOSOCC of the African union is one in which civil society would organize themselves to work with the Organization.The distinctive character of the African Union's ECOSOCC is that it is an opportunity for African civil society to play an active role in charting the future of the Continent, organizing itself in partnership with African governments to contribute to the principles, policies and programmes of the Union." http://www.africa-union.org/ECOSOC/ ECOSOCC%20Flyer.pdf As I had already attended the 1st Extra- Ordinary Summit of the Assembly of the African Union in February 2003, and the Issembly for Rastafari Iniversal Education (IRIE) had, with permission of the Rastafari Family in Shashemane, initiated communication with the African Union, while being involved in the same self-organizing process initiated by the Rastafari International Theocracy Issembly in 1983 and resumed by the 2003 Global Reasoning with the purpose of "implementing formal agreements relative to African States adn the OAU" and "sending a strong message to....the AU that we want to return home", I naturally and spiritual felt called to service. I did I best to organize both the Rastafari movement and the African Diaspora at the same time in harmony, coordination and cooperation with the African Union.
I did so even vigorously, as per Sister Ijahnya's recommendation to "be quite assertive in making sure that the Rastafari quest for repatriation is placed and remains on the Network and AU priority agenda" and "vigilantly keep abreast of AU Civil Society meetings, proceedings, decisions and positions so as to make the most effective representational inputs." I definitely was very studious, assertive and vigilante during the Campaign's travels on four continents.
Further, consider that Dr. Tajudeen Abdul Raheem, General-Secretary of the Pan African Movement, Kampala (Uganda) and Co-Director of Justice Africa, said on April 7, 2005: "In the past it was difficult for civil society organisations, NGOs, private sector groups, professional associations, etc to have access to the OAU. But the ECOSOCC envisages that most organisations and even individuals will have equal access to the AU and contribute their quota to the development of Africa....
Another issue that shows the unwillingness of the AU to deal straight has to do with the role of the diaspora. The mission, vision, and strategic plan of the AU recognizes the diaspora as the 6th region of Africa in addition to the five regions on the continent itself.
The Chairperson, Alpha Konare, is particularly focused on this yet in the ECOSOCC process the Diaspora has been represented by those chosen by the whim of the AU officials. Even at the launch of the General Assembly the few diaspora persons there were mere observers. This is partly due to the unresolved political intrigues around an acceptable definition of 'diaspora'.
Self organisation is the hallmark of civil society. A situation whereby the AU decides who the leaders of ECOSOCC will be through manipulation of delegates and representation does not augur well for a union that wants the people to be involved as legitimate stakeholders. The Shenanigans at the launch of the ECOSOCC General Assembly would have made the former Stalinist countries very proudly nostalgic that their methods of 'democracy from above' continues to have appeal even without the need for a political party and cadres!"
Moreover, the first paragraph of the report, Towards A People-Driven African Union: Current Obstacles & New Opportunities, says, "This report presents research on the preparations for and conduct of African Union summits, from some of the civil society organizations currently working with the African Union to realize its own vision.
First, it concludes that, although significant space has been opened up for greater and more sustained participation by a diversity of interested groups, the promise of a people-driven African Union (AU) remains largely unfulfilled. Inadequate institutional capacity and inappropriate policies and procedures have hindered the realization of the vision that the AU should build 'a partnership between governments and all segments of civil society... to strengthen solidarity and cohesion among our peoples. . . . There are still considerable difficulties in obtaining access to information about policies and documents under discussion by AU organs, preventing effective participation by Africa's citizens in continental decision- making processes." In the section entitled ECOSOCC, the report states, "First, the structures of ECOSOCC are not sufficiently supported at the continental level…
Secondly, the process for election of ECOSOCC national chapters and continental representatives are unclear and flawed, while eligibility criteria established by the ECOSOCC Statutes exclude many civil society organizations with a contribution to make. Thirdly, despite sub- regional and national consultations, there is need to increase publicity and knowledge of ECOSOCC." Chapter 7, The Economic, Social and Cultural Council, says, "The criteria for eligibility to participate in ECOSOCC have been controversial . . . . Transparency in the selection process of these representatives is questionable.
According to some members of the Interim Standing Committee, they were invited by the AU Commission to attend the March 2005 launch because of their regional and thematic focus. Also, it appears that a number of CSO's invited had a pre-existing relationship with the AU;....However, many organization with a profile on issues relevant to the AU were not included . . . . So far, however, a lack of transparent processes and poor communications strategy leads to perceptions of ECOSOCC as a 'club of friends' and that it is packed with government supported organizations with little legitimacy in the wider civil society movement.
In particular, there is no clarity on the definition of organisations that should be on the 'electoral roll' of voters nor on the election processes that must be followed to choose the national representatives to the General Assembly." Finally, in the section entitled The African Citizens' Directorate, the report says, "The African Citizens' Directorate, known as CIDO, headed by Dr. Jinmi Adisa, is the new name and status for the former unit of the OAU Secretariat supporting the Conference for Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA) It is responsible in principle with facilitation of all civil society engagement with the AU organs and processes, including in its constituency both African citizens in Africa and in the diasopora ....CIDO's current responsibilities fall into three areas: liaison with civil society organizations on the continent; outreach to the diaspora outside Africa; and secretariat functions for ECOSOCC....However -- perhaps for reasons of capacity which are now being addressed -- it has not advertised information about its activities or availability as a liaison point to assist civil society organizations wishing to contact the AU, either on the website or at civil society meetings other than those organizedby the AU itself." http:// www. soros. org/resources/articles_ publications/publications/ people_20070124/au_20070124.pdf
In addition, Dr. Tajudeen Abdul Raheem also writes, "Two very important meetings that will fundamentally affect the lives of all Africans, alive and those yet to be born, took place this week. Both meetings took place in South Africa. One in Durban and the other in the affluent suburb of Midrand, near Pretoria.
The first is a meeting of the Executive Council of the African Union, which consists of all the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the 53 Member states. The other is the 7th Session of the Pan African Parliament.
What is most significant about the two meetings is the agenda before them. Foreign Affairs Ministers met for final deliberations on the agenda for the forthcoming Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the Union in the first week of July in Accra, Ghana. The Summit has a one-item agenda: the United States of Africa. . . . But how many Africans know about these meetings? Of those who know how, many care? And among those who care, how many can influence the process?" [TAJUDEEN: Two meetings that will impact the lives of Africans, now and forever - theblacklist@earthlink.net] No one can deny that IRIE was among the very first, if not the only voice, that was informing the Rastafari Family Worldwide, and indeed, much of the African Diaspora, about the significance and progress of the proposed United States of Africa and the upcoming Grand Debate on the Union Government of the African Union.
Moreover, IRIE sought to actually influence the process by seating Ras McPherson on ECOSOCC which is mandated to submit its perspective to the Grand Debate, as well as on the Panel of the Wise of the Peace and Security Council which is also mandated to submit its perspective on the Grand Debate [see Rastafari Representation at the African Union and Rastafari Representation at the African Union: Immediate Action Needed].
Moreover, IRIE attempted to forward the establishment of a Working Group on Rastafari Populations at the African Union, but petty squabbling over the short-list of Rastafari sons and dawtas to form such a committee effectively killed that effort.
Thus, ultimately, if any mistake was made, it can not be attributed to IRIE. How can IRIE be faulted for having a "wrong understanding" and not being "more conversant with AU processes and procedures" of relevant AU organs that have "inadequate institutional capacity and inappropriate policies and procedures", that does "not advertised information about its activities or availability", has "a lack of transparent processes and poor communications strategy", has "no clarity on the definition of organisations that should be on the 'electoral roll' of voters nor on the election processes that must be followed to choose the national representatives", where there is still "considerable difficulties in obtaining access to information about policies and documents under discussion by AU organs"????
No, IRIE has made no mistake. There never was nor is there any consensus about such things, even with the AU, CIDO, ECOSOCC and the African Civil Society itself. The misunderstanding is the fault of the communicators, in this case the AU, and not the civil society organizations, including IRIE and the AU 6th Region Education Campaign.
As the Diaspora Officer rightly says, IRIE and the AU 6th Region Education Campaign's actions here have been pursued with the noblest of intentions. After four and one half years since it's first engagement with the African Union, now all of the appropriate African Union officials are consulting directly with IRIE and acknowledging its work.
The AU Diaspora Initiative to establish the 6th Region of the AU is now well known, and there is national and international awareness and debate about ECOSOCC elections among a wider, more diverse populace of the African Diaspora. This is a victory for IRIE, the AU 6th Region Education Campaign, Rastafari people and the African Diaspora, no matter how some misguided individuals will try to spin it. "A noble failure may be of more value than a petty success." -- HIM Haile Selassie I
Most Heartically and Raspectfully, Ras Nathaniel, Coordinator, Issembly for Rastafari Iniversal Education (IRIE); Coordinator, RNCI-USA; Director, AU 6th Region Education Campaign
Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 02:05:08 -0700 (PDT) From: AU 6th Region Education Campaign <ras.nathaniel@yahoo.com> Subject: To: AU Washington Office RE: African Diaspora Elections to ECOSOCC To: Amina Salum, CIDO, ECOSOCC ISC
Her Excellency Amina Salum Ali, The African Union Permanent R e p r e s e n t a t i v e t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s A m b a s s a d o r L i l a Ratsifandrihamanana, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations African Union Mission To The United States of America1875 I Street NW Suite 580 Washington DC 20006Fax: (202) 429-7129Tel: (202) 429-7138 RE: Coordinating African Diaspora Elections toECOSOCC
Greetings,
In reference to the AU 6th Region Education Campaign's recent e-mail communications of 1 and 15 May 2007 to the ECOSOCC Interim Standing Committee, Ms. Nadia Roguiai and Dr. Francis Ikome of the ECOSOCC Secretariat stated (May 22):
"While the ECOSOCC Secretariat acknowledges your spirited efforts and commitment to the success of both the Diaspora Initiative of the African Union and the ECOSOCC, we wish to observe that it is important to ensure that this spirited effort is channelled appropriately and in conformity with the processes and procedures approved by the African Union since ECOSOCC is one of its organs. . . .
It would also be important to stress that the Diaspora programme is not an ECOSOCC programme. It simply feeds into ECOSOCC. Thus, arrangements for selection of Diaspora representatives would require close coordination with the African Citizens Directorate of the Bureau of the Chairperson, which oversees the Diaspora programme. We would request that you get in touch with the Diaspora Officer in view of your commitment to the programme for further clarification and elaboration.”
Mr. Wuyi Omitoogun, Diaspora Officer, CIDO AU Commission, responded to our May 24 email on May 29, stating
"Thanks for your e- mail of 24 May 2007 in response to the e-mail of the ECOSOCC Secretariat on the same. It is a mark of regard and respect that the Commission has for the enthusiasm of your organization and its apparent commitment to the Diaspora Initiative that we are also responding. . . .the exchange of information so far has been very enlightening. We also hope it has provided clarifications about the policy process of the African Union. . . .
It is clear that your actions here have been pursued with the noblest of intentions but on the basis of wrong understanding. We believe that the best way of advancing your support of the AU is to amend this understanding and proceed in the appropriate fashion so that we can promote the objectives of solidarity and commonality implicit in the Diaspora initiative. . . . .
We would therefore, kindly request that further request for information should be channeled through our Washington Office that has specific responsibility for the sensitization aspect of AU programme in the US." Therefore, we are now quite certain that we are proceeding appropriately and in conformity with the processes and procedures approved by the African Union.”
Based on the ECOSOCC Statutes and clarifications from both CIDO and the ECOSOCC Secretariat, we understand the following:
1. "Under the Transitional Provisions (Article 4), it is provided that "the Interim Standing Committee (ISC) shall ensure that elections for membership of ECOSOCC are finalized as soon as possible so that the General Assembly can be launched within a period of not more than tow (2) years"....[A]t the last meeting of the AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa in January 2007, the mandate of the ISC was extended till December 2007. This in effect, means that the ISC’s mandate over the conduct of elections was also extended. It is imperative to note that the ISC in its meeting in Cairo in February 2007, decided to deferthe election of Diaspora representatives. This decision is yet to be rescinded or reviewed.”
2. "" "The mandate of the current interim ECOSOCC Assembly ends in December 2007 and the new Assembly is not programmed to be installed by December 2007 . . . . This would be done, presumably in early 2008 at a date to be set by the Executive organs.
3. "Council in Decision EX.CL/Dec.338(X) "specifically requested the Standing Committee to take the necessary measures to ensure that the process of elections into the post-Interim Assembly is completed by 31st December 2007.... the African Union Commission has assured that all necessary measures would be taken to assist the ISC complete the extended ECOSOCC mandate.”
4. "We do not think it is tenable for any process to produce Diaspora delegates when the African Union has not specified the number of representation for each region.”
5. "elections of Diaspora representatives must be in accordance with established rules and procedures, some of which are yet to be spelt out. We need to establish the procedure for election of the Diaspora representatives, the number to be assigned to each region, the process for election including a prior vetting of qualifications by the Credential Committee.”
6. "African Diaspora organizations shall establish an appropriate process for determining modalities for elections and elect twenty (20) CSO's to the ECOSOCC General Assembly"; [ECOSOCC Statute Article 5 section 3.]
7. "....Articles 6 and 12, which deal with the eligibility criteria for membership of ECOSOCC and the Credential Committee. It is obvious from the provisions of Article 12 that the responsibility for ascertaining and approving the qualifications of candidates is vested in the Credentials Committee. It is therefore a condition precedent that the Credentials Committee shall, before any elections are conducted into ECOSOCC General Assembly, must verify and shortlist applicants."
Further, we understand 1. The Report of the ECOSOCC Consultative Meeting for Central and West Africa hosted by the Africa Leadership Forum, Ota, Nigeria 15 June 2006 stated: "Participants appreciated the presentation from the Diaspora Network and regretted the omission of representations from the Diaspora in the Interim Standing Committee of ECOSOCC....Participants requested immediate redress of what they called "an incomplete committee" and also emphasized that if the same was repeated in the constitution of assembly members, an important part of AU specifications would have been violated."
2. The 2nd Meeting of the Interim Standing Committee of ECOSOCC held in Cairo, Egypt, from 24 - 26 February 2007 resolved to "meet in May 2007 to review the progress made towards the holding of national elections and draw up a supplementary work programme for the election of national, regional and continental representatives."
3. "The Presiding Officer was of the view that the issue of Diaspora is more complex than the national elections and would advise members not to delve into it for now."
4. "It is imperative to note that the ISC in its meeting in Cairo in February 2007, decided to defer the election of Diaspora representatives. This decision is yet to be rescinded or reviewed."
5. "We understand also that they [the African Union Mission To The United States of America] are planning a Roundtable sometime in the second part of the year at which the Commission would be effectively represented to further enlighten the Diaspora public."
Therefore, it is clear that:
1. The ISC must now urgently take up the issue of the African Diaspora elections in order to fulfill its mandate and not violate the Constitutive Act of the African Union Article 3 (q) that "invite(s) and encourage(s) the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our continent, in the building of the African Union";
2. In order for the ISC to finalize the process/procedure for elections, the African Union must decide the regional distribution of the twenty representatives of the African Union. [Note: The AFSTRAG Roundtable, February 26-27, 2004 recommended "The 20 seats allocated by the AU to the Diaspora on ECOSOCC should be allocated as follows:
Latin America (including Brazil): 4 seats; The Caribbean: 2 seats; North America (including Canada): 4 seats; Europe: 4 seats; Asia: 2 seats; The Middle East: 2 seats; Australia and New Zealand: 2 seats . . . ." FDA/WHADN has proposed that thirteen (13) seats go to the Western Hemisphere (which comprises 40% of the Global African Diaspora) in the following manner: Brazil (pop. 60 Million): 3 seats; Canada (pop. 0.5 Million): 2 seats; Caribbean (pop. 15 Million): 3 seats; USA (pop. 37 Million): 3 seats; and Hispanic/Latin Region (pop. 8 Million): 2 seats, with the remaining seven (7) seats to the rest of the World African Diaspora (which comprises 60% of the Global African Diaspora).
3. That a "Roundtable sometime in the second part of the year to further enlighten the Diaspora public" hosted by the AU office in Washington is insufficient, both in terms of vision and action, if the African Diaspora is to conduct elections by December 31.
4. A more detailed timeline and vision of the African Diaspora elections process is needed.
Given the urgency with which the ISC is mandated to complete the elections within the next seven months and the necessity to immediately redress an incomplete ISC, we would like the African Union Mission To The United States of America to inform us regarding its “Roadmap For Diaspora Elections” Below are some recommendations.
Most Respectfully, Ras Nathaniel, Director AU 6th Region Education Campaign
ROAD-MAP FOR DIASPORA ELECTIONS:
1. Pursuant to the Constitutive Act of the African Union Article 3 (q) that "invite(s) and encourage(s) the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our continent, in the building of the African Union", the agenda for the Grand Debate on the Union Government should include the African Diaspora as the "6th Region", and as a minimum, should determine the number of representatives from each region that will comprise the twenty Diaspora representatives. This seems to be the pre-requisite for moving the African Diaspora election process forward.
2. Pursuant to the ISC mandate (Decision EX.CL/Dec.338(X)) over the conduct of elections to be completed by December 31, the ISC, at its upcomming meeting (end of May-early June) or during the AU Summit in Accra (Grand Debate) should adopt/approve/appoint the following:
a) creation of a Steering Committe of the ECOSOCC African Diaspora Chapter in the United States of America (ECOSOCC-SC-ADUSA). Since Dr. Tadadjeu, Interim Deputy Presiding Officer (Central Africa) rightly states, "the ECOSOCC process appears as the major unifying factor we have been looking for", the Steering Committee should thus be composed of the following twenty-one (21) members:
One member of the AU 6th Region Education Campaign
One member of the Pan African Organizing Committee
Two members of the organizers of the Pan Afrikan Movement Summit 2007
One Member of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
One member of the National Black United Front (NBUF)
One member of the National Coalition of Blacks For Reparations in America (NCOBRA)
One member of the Western Hemisphere African Diaspora Network (WHADN)
One member of African/African American/Black Studies Senior Faculty
One member of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA)
One member the National Black Graduate Student Association (NBGSA)
One member representing Black Student Unions (BSU’s)
One member of the Millions More Movement (MMM)
One member of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA)
One member representing Black churches
One member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)
One member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
One member of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)
One member of the National Urban League (NUL)
One member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Tavis Smiley
b) ISC to update and extend the Template and Application Form for Election into the ECOSOCC General Assembly to include the twetny (20) CSO representatives from the African Diaspora.
c) ECOSOCC-SC-ADUSA to schedule state-wide Town Hall Meetings in each city with the largest African Diaspora/Black population in the state.
d) ISC to approve the following ECOSOCC African Diaspora USA election process: 1) Immediately following the Grand Debate, the African Union Mission to the United States of America to issue Press Release announcing extension of Template and Application Form to the African Diaspora.
2) Publication of Election Template and Schedule of Town Hall Meetings in National/City/African Diaspora Media
3) ECOSOCC-SC-ADUSA to continue to popularize and identify candidates using Methodology for Organizing the Diaspora, i.e establishing Community Council of Elders (CCOE) to oversee "Town Hall Meetings" in each of the fifty states in the US that would nominate and vote in a "primary election" for two Representatives and up to five Observers to the African Union. (California, New York, Washington andTexas have already held their "primary"). Such representatives would then complete the Application forms and submit them to the AU Mission to the United States (AU office in Washington) who would thenforward them to the Credentials Committee of the ECOSOCC Secrertariat through the African Citizens Directorate (CIDO) of the African Union Commission by August 17 (Marcus Garvey's Birthday).
4) The ECOSOCC Credentials Committee would then vet/review all 100 applications (two from each state), verify and short-list applicants, and make a public announcement of the short-list on the African Union website on September 9 (African Union Day).
5) ECOSOCC-SC-ADUSA and African Union Mission to the United States of America to convene the ECOSOCC African Diaspora Chapter in the United States of America Caucus at the end of September/early October that would serve as the Electoral College that would vote on the short-listed candidates. f) Given the AU settlement on distribution and modalities for election, CPAN should transform itself into the Steering Committee of the ECOSOCC African Diaspora Chapter in the Caribeean (ECOSOCC-SC-ADCaribbean) and CPAN's Representatives could, if approved, also be short-listed. CSO's in the region not part of CPAN desiring to submit an Application Form should be allowed to do so. However, if none are received, the Credentials Committee should then approve CPAN's Representatives as "elected". Ifother applications are received, then an election must take place. ECOSOCC- SC-ADCaribbean in coordination with CIDO would conduct the election.
g) Since the Organizacion Negra Centroamericana (ONECA)/Central American Black Organizations (CABO) is the African Diaspora CSO regional network in Central America similar to the Caribeean Pan African Network (CPAN), it should be recognized by the African Union a such. ONECA/CABO should then establish the Steering Committtee of the ECOSOCC African Diaspora Chapter in Central America (ECOSOCC- SC-ADCA)-The Application Forms of their three African Diaspora Representatives (elected April 14) should be reviewed immediately and, if approved, they should be short-listed. CSO's in the region not represented by ONECA/CABO desiring to submit an Aplication Form should be allowed to do so. However, if none are received, the Credentials Committee should then approve the ONECA/CABO Representatives as "elected". If other applications are received, then an election must take place based on ISC short-list for the region. ECOSOCC-SC-ADCA in coordination with CIDO would conduct the election.
h) In the Western Hemisphere, this leaves Canada, Brazil and the rest of South America. Each should form a Steering Committee of the ECOSOCC African Diaspora Chapter and develop their election process in coordination with CIDO and ISC.
i) Attached is A Vision Paper For Mobilizing The AU African Diaspora EU Region and Promoting The African Diaspora Netherlands Model that was forwarded to the AU 6th Region Education Campaign by Dr. Barryl Biekman, PANAFSTRAG -Europe, who facilitated the Holland AU- Diaspora Town Hall Meeting, March 21, 2007.
These represent the AU 6th Region Education Campaign draft recommendations to CIDO and the ECOSOCC ISC.
In 2009, Francis N Ikome made similar critiques about the AU’s failure to incorporate the Diaspora into ECOSOCC in his paper, The challenges of Diaspora representation in the African Union’s ECOSOCC Assembly
One of the participants in the original AU 6th Region Town Hall meetings recently emailed me the following:
“Greetings Sir:
You probably do not remember me well (if at all), since I was just coming into the effort when we met first via email and later in person. I was there in January 2007 at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem at the Town Hall that had been called by Elder Adunni Oshupa Tabasi NuNu Afua Frie-Frie II. (I got to interview her in New York about a month later, and she attended our first International Summit that September at Howard University, but she sadly transitioned to the Ancestors by the end of the year.) You gave a presentation there (you had much more hair then), and I got to re-connect with Professor David Horne and Bro. Kumasi Palmer of the Pan African Organizing Committee (PAOC), who would become leaders in the Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus (SRDC). From that day forward, I was the Maryland Facilitator of SRDC and a member of the National Secretariat. If I understood correctly, after 2007, the AU's contract with WHADN ended and WHADN and FDA basically kicked you to the curb. I lost track of you after that, but SRDC continued with the Town Hall Meetings. We started national meetings that September that brought together our activists from California, New York, Ohio, Washington State, Tennessee, South Carolina, Toronto, Guadeloupe, The Netherlands, Central America and Maryland, and we've held International Summits every year since then except 2015. In 2018 we hosted the Summit in Baltimore and last year the Summit was held in South Carolina. This year, we hope to hold a virtual Summit due to CoVID-19.
An acquaintance I met at the AU Mission in 2015 sent me the link to your August 7, 2020 video (see below). Your blow-by-blow was quite informative and your criticisms of the current effort are well-taken. I fully agree about the "State of the African Diaspora" and several of the opportunists who seem motivated only by the status and money they can make, or the opportunity to hobnob and rub shoulders with important people and act like they are revolutionaries or the new King or Queen of the Pan-Afrikan Diaspora.
Our New York and Ohio organizations collapsed between 2010 and 2011 because of a combination of frustration, opportunists within and provocateurs outside, but we added one in Tennessee in 2012. Lack of resources (we didn't cash in either and some of us wound up pissing money away), some of us just plain getting old, losing a few to the Ancestors, the bureaucracy and duplicity of the AU (no vote on our proposal for organizing the Diaspora for over 13 years now despite several assurances and promises by Jinmi Adisa and Joseph Chilengi), along with the disruptive actions of some self-appointed rival organizations (some of which have tried to personally persuade me to give up the whole effort "because 3[q] was never ratified and the AU is for member states and their citizens", meaning Continental Africans only), has stalled our growth through the kind of frustration you described in your video. Professor Horne is still our International Facilitator and leader. . . .”