UNIA DELEGATION MEETS WITH AFRICAN UNION AMBASSADOR
by Hon. John W. Jackson

Photo(L-R) in the office of the African Union Mission in Washington, D.C. are: (1) His Excellency Minister Ahmed Assalaam, Potentate and Supreme Commissioner, UNIA-ACL; (2) Her Excellency Amina S. Ali, AU Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the United States of America; (3) Honorable John W. Jackson, UNIA-ACL Amabassador to the African Union

April (2008)---A delegation of UNIA officials met with the Lady Ambassador, Amina Ali, at the African Union offices in Washington. This was the first formal contact between the Great Association and the AU. At the meeting, the issues of the Diaspora and its significance to Africa was the principal topic.

Ambassador Ali expressed views in frank language, noting that the Diaspora is disorganized and quarrelsome. She expounded further that the Diaspora is also a complex matter beyond the historical origins of repatriation issues. First, there is the situation of those Africans who have migrated in modern times, on one hand; and the class of descendants who have mainly historical ties to the continent.

Secondly, there is geography and culture. In addition to the Africans in America, there is also the regional differences among North Americans, the Hispanic Americans, and West Indian groups. These elements must be considered in a comprehensive solution and formulation of policy.

Thirdly, not all African Americans are nationalists or primarily interested in repatriation. Many groups in contact with her are interested mainly in business and commerce. And, as to repatriation, each African nation must formulate its own policy for the time being. However, she expressed personal interest in promoting a federal-style citizenship status based in the AU for all Africans.

Fourthly, to bring coordination to this range of issues and sub-issues within the Diaspora, the Ambassador has determined that her offices should serve as Diaspora HQ.

CONCORD AND UNDERSTANDING

The delegates emphasized the historical mission of the UNIA and its special interest and devotion to Africa and its development. The Ambassador was apprised of the continued involvement of the Great Association in the early programs of the AU, itself, since its transition from the OAU. Through the Western hemisphere African Diaspora Network (WHADN), UNIA has forwarded notes and resolutions to Addis Ababa in response to requests for proposals and comments. Draft copies were shared with her. Ambassador Ali also gave the delegates a portfolio of papers about AU and its programs.

AFRICAN UNION PROGRAMS

The group then discussed ECOSOCC, an auxiliary agency of the African Union, and its proposed plan to allow African Americans and all within Africa and the Diaspora to elect representatives to participate in selected committees and agencies to deliberate and cast votes on the formulation of governance and development.

ECOSOCC, however, she replied, is not ready at this time to activate this program on three counts.

First, the ECOSOCC regions within Africa have not been organized; secondly, an approved plan for electing Diaspora representatives has not been agreed upon within the Diaspora; and thirdly, the staff within the AU Commission is being reorganized. Only the second item concerns the Diaspora directly; the other two are AU internal matters.

Currently, there are two proposed plans for organizing the Diaspora, the WHADN system and the Sixth Region plan. In the WHADN plan, the Western Hemisphere, in homage to regional system in Africa, itself, proposes establishing five regions---Brazil, Canada, USA, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Each region would elect 100 delegates to a Diaspora General Assembly. This wholistic group would elect representatives to go to AU meetings. The WHADN system would be a broad based electorate built on population districts.

The Sixth Region plan proposes to assign the numbers of delegates to each nation or group of nations. Further, the Sixth Region, named to signify the Diaspora s a total administrative region of Africa and the AU, will include groups from Europe and Asia as well as the Americas. The Sixth Region system would be a senatorial plan.

The Lady Ambassador made a point of emphasizing the urgency of time and opportunity. This generation must act or Africa is lost. And the Century will be lost.

OVERVIEW

The UNIA in its historic mission and legacy has an opportunity not only to assist in the formulation of African development; but to help facilitate events by offering itself as a platform for organizing the Diaspora, both at home and abroad.

The offices of the AU in Washington represents an outreach initiative to the Western Hemisphere. Through continued communications and dialogue, the UNIA can continue its historic mission through direct contacts with the AU and through a fraternal system of association with fellow nationalists.

In his response to the Ambassador following the historic meeting, UNIA-ACL Potentate & Supreme Commissioner Minister Ahmed Assalam (Photo R.) had this to say;

"On behalf of the UNIA-ACL and our great love for the general uplift and redemption of the African peoples of the World, I extend to you a heartfelt appreciation for taking time to meet with Mr. Jackson and myself last week.

Believe me when I say that President General Cleophus Miller and other officers are very excited and committed to working with the African Union for the good of the race, and it is evident that we are on the right track because during our discussion at your office our sentiments seemed to run parallel to one another.

It is absolutely true that the future of the race is within our hands to shape and mold into a form that will not only bind us all together, but also cause us to excel the motherlands glorious days of past as we embark upon the mission of uniting and elevating all African peoples into leadership of the world arena.

It is to this end that we extend to you our love and support."

AFRICAN OPINION Vol.1