ITES-ZINE 2007 part 9

From the AU From: "CIDO" <cido@africa-union.org > Date: May 29, 2007 9:02:07 AM EDT To: "AU 6th Region Education Campaign" <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 - Principal Coordinator, CIDO

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 force of 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-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. 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 recommedation 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 defintely 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 recognises 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 ECOSOC 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 Opportunites, 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 realise its own vision. 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 realisation 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 diaspora....CIDO's current responsibilites fall into three areas: liason 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 liason point to assist civil society organizations wishing to contact the AU, either on the website or at civil society meetings other than those organized by 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 upcomming 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 Siphiwe Nathaniel Blake Coordinator, Issembly for Rastafari Iniversal Education (IRIE) Coordinator, RNCI-USA Director, AU 6th Region Education Campaign CIDO <cido@africa-union.org> wrote: 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 Secretariat 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 - Principal Coordinator, CIDO AU 6th Region Education Campaign <ras.nathaniel@yahoo.com> wrote: 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 Representative to the United States Ambassador Lila 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 to ECOSOCC 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 defer the 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 Siphiwe Nathaniel Blake, Director AU 6th Region Education Campaign ROADMAP 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. Pusruant 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 Advacement of Colored People (NAACP) Tavis Smileyb) 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 and Texas 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 then forward 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". If other 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.

Posted at Rasta Ites Group by Jr Negus Greetings As I have said before the work Nathaniel is doing is I&I business not the AU. I&I are Africans in the west, whether you want to call us western diaspora or 18 region I&I is still Africans and will not settle with any secondary Government outside of Africa, so I&I will fight for the African Union, the OAU, the UN or the USA to recognize that I&I in the west who have not sold out our Ancestral birthright to foreign Governments, will ever consider I&I selves as Africans with a Government that is responsible for I&I here in the diaspora. The problem that is causing confusion is the fact that some Rases does not see themselves as Africans moreso Ethiopians who are unconquered, therefore under the sovereign rights of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty's Government is the authority over all. Until the International Criminal Court address the matter, before black People will know what time it is for the Ethiopian Millennium. No one will prevent his Majesty's Government from staking its rightful place among the Nations for the future of Collective Security for Surety that Righteousness will cover the earth. David will still slew Goliath even in this time. Ras McPherson is a very respected Igel around the Throneroom of HIM, can not be challenge by any, real Ethiopian warrior with the passion of the Black man redemption. No one can question the Integrity of Ras McPherson, I wish him all the best for the Nation and pray that the King Of Kings will guide and protect these brethrens who have defended Ethiopia over the years this is what their lives is all about. Ras Nathaniel I pray the I will be strong in this Giddeon and not waste your energy on negative issues, but continue in your work and hope for the best manifestation. There are no one authorize has doorkeeper to keep I&I out of Ethiopia. They are fighting over the west, once I&I can establish HIM Government, then let I&I Strive for the justice of Ethiopia. Keep the faith things are looking brighter. One Perfect Love.

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