african union - Blogs - TheBlackList Pub2024-03-28T10:28:04Zhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/african+unionAFRICAN AND DIASPORA PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET IN NEW YORK CITYhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/african-and-diaspora-parliamentarians-meet-in-new-york-city2012-02-26T15:00:00.000Z2012-02-26T15:00:00.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><div id="msgbody"><div> </div><div><a href="http://africansuntimes.com/cms/modules/content/index.php?id=697"><img src="http://africansuntimes.com/UserFiles/IMG_0296.jpg" alt="" height="563" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="750" align="bottom" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Above photo, l-r: Ambassador Vincent Sunny Okobi, former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo; Ms. Sally Dormeyan, African Diaspora Program Officer, World Bank; Hon. Bethels Amadi, 1st Vice President, Pan-African Parliament, and member of the Nigerian House of Representatives; Hon. Nassir Ali Ahmed, member of the Nigerian House of Representatives; Ambassador Cheick Sidi Diarra, Special Adviser, Office of the Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General; Hon. John Abraham Godson, member of the Polish Parliament; and Dr. Idrisa Moussa Ndele, President of the Pan-African Parliament. Behind on the podium is Dr. Jinmi Adisa, Director of CIDO speaking with Ambassador Patrick Hayford, Director, Office of the Special Adviser on Africa at the United Nations</div><div> </div><div>New York, NY - A meeting of African and African Diaspora Parliamentarians took place on February 16, 2012, at the African Union Hall of the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations. The meeting, dubbed a preparatory meeting, was organized by the Pan-African Parliament based in Midrand, South Africa, in conjunction with the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the World Bank.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://africansuntimes.com/cms/modules/content/index.php?id=697">CONTINUE READING</a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><ul><li><a href="https://lists.riseup.net/www/viewmod/theblacklist/5fa275e2d1ffb73fa853c968dc16537d" target="_blank"><font face="Arial">AFRICAN AND DIASPORA PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET IN NEW YORK CITY, chika onyeani, 02/25/2012</font></a></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>A SMASHINGLY SUCCESSFUL "STRATOSPHERIC MEETING" OF AFRICAN DIASPORA LEADERShttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/a-smashingly-successful-stratospheric-meeting-of-african-diaspora2011-10-26T12:30:00.000Z2011-10-26T12:30:00.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><div id="msgbody"><div><div> </div><div><i><b><span>Announcement to Raise $5 Million in Famine Relief for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1319615040_0">Africa</span></span></b></i><b><span><br /></span></b></div><div> </div><div><i><b><span>African Ambassadors to Celebrate Kwanzaa</span></b></i><b><br /> <br /></b><u><strong><span><span>African Union Diaspora Task Team Moves to Galvanize the African Diaspora</span></span></strong></u></div><div> </div><a target="_blank" href="http://africansuntimes.com/cms/modules/content/index.php?id=1"><img src="http://africansuntimes.com/UserFiles/8%20Dudley%20arrives%20copy.jpg" title="http://africansuntimes.com/cms/modules/content/index.php?id=668" height="497" hspace="10" align="bottom" vspace="10" width="750" alt="8%20Dudley%20arrives%20copy.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Arriving at the meeting, Ambassador Dr. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1319615040_1">Dudley</span> Thompson and his wife, being welcomed by Dr. Chika Onyeani, chair of the African Union Task Team, left, Ambassador and wife (middle), Ambassador Erieka Bennett and His Excellency Ambaassador Tete Antonio of the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the UN. At the left hand corner is Mr. Charles Williams, Legislative Assistant to the Speaker of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1319615040_2">New Jersey</span> Houe of Assembly, and on the right is Ambassador V. S. Okobi. </div><div> </div><span><span><img src="http://africansuntimes.com/UserFiles/87%20A%20cross%20section%20copy.jpg" title="A cross section of the delegates" height="265" hspace="10" align="bottom" vspace="10" width="400" alt="87%20A%20cross%20section%20copy.jpg" /><img src="http://africansuntimes.com/UserFiles/89%20Another%20cross%20copy.jpg" title="Another cross section of the delegates" height="265" hspace="10" align="bottom" vspace="10" width="400" alt="89%20Another%20cross%20copy.jpg" /></span></span><br /><div> Above photo, a cross section of the delegates</div><div> </div><div><span><span><span>Calling it a “Stratospheric Meeting,” the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, was quoted by CIDO Director, Dr. Adisa as saying that the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1319615040_3">Thursday, October 6, 2011</span>, biggest gathering of selected high caliber African Diaspora leaders was a “high level meeting within a high level.” The Conference organized by the African Union Diaspora Task Team, attracted African Diaspora leaders of Afro-Latinos, Afro-Caribbeans, African-Americans and continental Africans, including leaders from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1319615040_4">Canada</span> and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1319615040_5">South America</span>, representing organizations such as the World African Diaspora Union (WADU), the Pan-African Diaspora Union (PADU), Sixth Region Diaspora Council (SRDC), as well as others.</span></span></span></div><div> </div></div><div><a target="_blank" href="http://africansuntimes.com/cms/modules/content/index.php?id=1"><span><span>CONTINUE READING</span></span></a></div><div><span><span>~</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div></div><ul><li><b><a href="https://lists.riseup.net/www/viewmod/theblacklist/875837f2a4c1eec1cc20196d2a17cfaa/msg00000.html">Re: [TheBlackList] A SMASHINGLY SUCCESSFUL "STRATOSPHERIC MEETING" OF AFRICAN DIASPORA LEADERS</a></b>, <em>chika onyeani, 10/26/2011</em></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p dir="ltr" align="center"><b><font color="#FF0000" size="4">What happens to your email once you send it?<br /></font> Track your emails with<font color="#990000" size="7"><br /></font> <a href="http://www.readnotify.com/?from=j0e1lv8y0q9eh"><font color="#FF0000" size="7">ReadNotify</font></a></b></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>AU Diaspora Task Team meets, Visioning African Diaspora as the 6th Region of the African Continenthttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/au-diaspora-task-team-meets-visioning-african-diaspora-as-the-6th2011-09-27T23:37:24.000Z2011-09-27T23:37:24.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><p> </p>
<div align="center"><b><u><span>AFRICAN UNION DIASPORA HIGH LEVEL MEETING</span></u></b><u><span> </span></u></div>
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<div><span>The biggest gathering of selected high caliber African Diasporan will take place on Thursday, October 6, 2011, during the African Union Diaspora High Level meeting organized by the African Union Diaspora Task Team to aggressively pursue the concrete realization of the dream and mission indicated when the African Union created and recognized the African Diaspora as the 6th Region of the African continent. </span></div>
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<div><span><b>The meeting will be held at the Conference Hall of the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, 305 East 47th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017, between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.</b></span><span> </span></div>
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<div><span>The African Union Diaspora Task Team was created by the African Union during a two-day meeting on October 21st and 22nd, 2010, titled "Building Bridges Across the Atlantic: African Union Consultation with the African Diaspora in the United States." Some of the objectives of the meeting included, among others:</span><span> </span></div>
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<div><span>a) To establish the foundation for a solidarity platform that would facilitate a stream of continuous dialogue and discourse within the global African family that would promote and sustain African renaissance;</span><span> </span></div>
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<div><span>b) To use this platform to strengthen the framework of engagement between the African Union and the African family in the United States in particular with a view to consolidating appropriate legal and participatory frameworks for effective participation of the African Diaspora in the building of the African Union; and</span><span> </span></div>
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<div><span>c) To brief and sensitive the African Diaspora on needs and developments within the AU system and obtain their inputs for assisting its growth and developments.</span><span> </span></div>
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<div><span>According to the Chairman of the AU Diaspora Task Team, Dr. Chika Onyeani, the African Union Diaspora High Level meeting is aimed at bringing together a group of high caliber African Diasporan who have consistently empowered the aspirations and issues of the African Diaspora as well as the African continent in realizing the objectives African Diaspora as the 6th Region of the African continent.</span><span> </span></div>
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<div><span>Many African Diaspora personalities have already accepted to attend and speak at the conference, including Ambassador Tete Antonio, Prof. Molefi Asante, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, Ambassador Dudley Thompson, Mayor Wayne Smith, Prof. Bereket Selassie, General Ishola Williams, Dr. Julius Garvey, M.D., Dr. Ron Daniels, Chief Tunde Olatunji, just to name a few, plus a high-powered delegation from the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align:center;"><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align:center;">Chika Onyeani, 917-279-4038</div>
<div style="text-align:center;">Georgina Falu, 646-246-8302</div>
<div style="text-align:center;">Dorothy Davis, 646646-413-0058</div>
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<div align="center" class="yiv1340354183MsoNormal"><b><i><span> </span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1340354183MsoNormal"><b><i><span>Dr. Chika A. Onyeani, Chair; Mr. Omowale Clay, 1<sup>st</sup> Vice Chair; Engr. Daniel Ochweri, 2<sup>nd</sup> Vice Chair; Dr. Georgina Falu, Secretary; Mr. Sidique Wai, Member; Ms. Dorothy Davis, Member; Ms. Miriam Omala Gauvin, AU Rep.</span></i></b></div>
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<div align="center" class="yiv1340354183MsoNormal"><b><span>African Union Diaspora Task Team</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1340354183MsoNormal">c/o The Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations</div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1340354183MsoNormal">305 East 47<sup>th</sup> Street, New York, NY<span> </span>10017</div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1340354183MsoNormal">Tel. : 212-319-5490, Fax: 319-7135 </div>
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<p> </p></div>No Gender Equality at African UN Missionshttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/no-gender-equality-at-african-un-missions2011-09-15T14:48:19.000Z2011-09-15T14:48:19.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><p>When African Presidents, Heads of State and Prime Ministers arrive in New York this year for the General Assembly meeting, they will find that the African Missions to the UN have turned into the proverbial "old boy's club." Of course, you have to understand that the continent itself is governed exclusively by men, with the exception of Liberia, where President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the only female President in the continent. It is quite a sad situation. I remember when there used to be quite a few female African Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, but today, the number has dwindled to only two. Only the most populous country in Africa and the smallest, Nigeria and the Gambia, have female Permanent Representatives.</p><p><br /> Prof. Joy Ogwu is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotenciary and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations. She is a former Foreign Minister and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. The other is Ambassador Susan Waffa-Ogoo of The Gambia, who is also a Permanent Representative to the United Nations. She had earlier served as Minister for Trade, Industry and Employment; Minister for Tourism and Culture; Minister for Fisheries, Natural Resources and the Environment; Minister for Tourism and Culture; and Minister of Information and Tourism. Even in the diplomatic staffing of these Missions, the men dominate in an extraordinary way. Even Nigeria, with a female Ambassador, has no female in the upper echelons of the Mission. Of the 8 posts of "Minister" or the 4 posts of "Minister Counsellor", none of them is held by a female.<br /> <br /> The African Union, which has been advocating the issue of gender equality in Africa is more in tune with objectives of gender equality. Of the eight Commissioners at the Addis Ababa office, about 5 are women. At the New York office of the African Union Permanent Observer office to the UN, of the 8 senior staff apart from the Ambassador, there are 4 females.<br /> <br /> Of all the African military advisers attached to the Missions to the UN, none is a woman. An observation here: even in the so-called developed countries, their missions are basically dominated by men. But one area Africans could be proud of, is our ambassadorial group in Washington, DC, where there are about 9 to 12 African female Ambassadors. That's a lot more than the two in New York.<br /> <br /> So, why the empty platitudes of African leaders about tackling the issue of gender equality? Is it just a game being played by the "old boys' club," or the usual African empty promises about doing something and choosing to let it slide away without doing anything about it? What of the so-called "Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa,” by the African Union? <br /> <br /> Here's what the African Union had to say about the Solemn Declaration: "At the Third Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July 2004, the Heads of State and Government adopted the <b><i>Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA)</i> .</b> The Declaration is an important African instrument for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment as it strengthens African ownership of the gender equality agenda and keeps the issues alive at the highest political level in Africa. Through the Solemn Declaration, Heads of State and Government commit themselves to report annually on progress towards gender equality. In addition, the Chairperson of the AU Commission is expected to submit an annual report to the Assembly on progress made in the implementation of the Solemn Declaration as well as on the state of gender equality and gender mainstreaming at the national and regional levels.<br /> <br /> To assist Member States in its reporting responsibly, the Ministers Responsible for Women's Affairs and Gender, at their First AU Conference held in Dakar, Senegal in October 2005 adopted two documents, namely the <i>Implementation Framework for the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA)</i> and the <i>Guidelines for Monitoring and Reporting on the SDGEA."<br /> <br /></i> I am sure you are going to ask what is the concern of the African Sun Times, or Onyeani for that matter, in trying to rile our womenfolk about being mistreated by the menfolk. Okay, I hate people who make promises and don't keep them. The African Presidents or Heads of State have made promises to correct the inequality between the sexes in Africa, they should keep that promise. If they are not going to do it, there is no need making empty promises. On the other hand, it is our womenfolk who have to mount pressure on their respective Presidents to correct the imbalance in appointments to our diplomatic missions abroad, especially to the United Nations. The excuse that their husbands don't like to play the spouse is not a valid excuse anymore.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>The African Sun Times</strong></p><p><strong><span><a target="_blank" href="http://africansuntimes.com/cms/modules/content/index.php?id=655">NO GENDER EQUALITY AT AFRICAN UN MISSIONS</a></span></strong></p><p>Onyeani's Blog<br />Sept 15, 2011 </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>WHY AFRICAN UNION IS RIGHT NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE LIBYAN REBELShttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/why-african-union-is-right-not-to-recognize-the-libyan-rebels2011-08-31T15:00:00.000Z2011-08-31T15:00:00.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><p>By <a target="_blank" href="http://yahoo.com">Chika Onyeani</a> ~ </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://africansuntimes.com/UserFiles/pic.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://africansuntimes.com/UserFiles/pic.jpg" class="align-full" alt="pic.jpg" /></a></p><p>A rebel fighter about to machete another black African to death</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>"The decision of the African Union as articulated by both President Zuma and Dr. Ping is totally sound; however, not for the reasons they adduced, but for the fact that the rebels need to account for the killings of black Africans, not for the pretensions of "confusing them as mercenaries hired by Gaddafi," but because of the anti-black, racist and innate hatred of black Africans, even though there are a million dark Africans who are Libyan citizens and are maltreated as well. There is no reason beating about the bush with regards to this point: the African Union must finally come to terms about the racist attitude of Arabs and especially Arab-Africans towards mainland Africans. In the past, the African Union had dealt with this issue by sweeping it under the carpet for such a long time in the name of a united Africa. To do otherwise, is a disservice to the millions of mainland Africans who live in the other 48 states of the continent. It is to the ultimate commendation of Dr. Ping to have come out and boldly state the obvious: the so-called Libyan rebels are killing black Africans from mainland Africa, pretending that they are "mercenaries" hired by Gaddafi rather than their innate hatred of black Africans."</em></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Before it was just a 'rumor', but yesterday African Union Commission Chairman, Dr. Jean Ping, came out boldly to state the fact that the Libyan rebels under the so-called Transitional National Council have been engaged in massive killings of black Africans from mainland Africa, as well as Libyans who have darker skins. This is a happening in Libya that the well-oiled propaganda machine of the Western media has conveniently refused to tell, but rather churning out stories about killings by pro-Gaddafi forces. The Western media is in such a frenzied hysteria about hanging Gaddafi that they have totally ignored massive abuses by the Transitional National Council. <br /> <br /> Dr. Ping said that Libyan rebels may be indiscriminately killing black people in Libya because they have confused innocent migrant workers with mercenaries. He told reporters Monday that this is one of the reasons the AU is refusing to recognize Libya's rebel Transitional National Council as the country's interim government. He said "We need clarification because the TNC seems to confuse black people with mercenaries. They are killing normal workers."<br /> <br /> On Friday, 26th August, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa had made it plain that the African Union would not be recognizing the Libyan rebels soon. This is after the 15-member Peace and Security summit had met, and after an address by Tanzanian-born former foreign minister and now United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha Rose Migiro had pleaded for the African Union to recognize the Transitional National Council. Said Dr. Migiro, "We must help the country’s new leaders to establish an effective, legitimate government - a government that represents and speaks for all the country’s diverse people; a government that can deliver on its people’s hope." But the 15-member committee disregard her pleas and voted not to recognize the rebels. <br /> <br /> Speaking after the Peace and Security meeting, President Zuma who chaired the meeting, noted that ""The reality on the ground is that there is fighting going on in Tripoli. Is that not a reality? People are still dying [in] very heavy fighting. That is the situation as we understand it, which is a reality in Libya." He continued, "And we are taking our position informed by that reality. We are looking at the reality from our point of view."<br /> <br /> The decision of the African Union as articulated by both President Zuma and Dr. Ping is totally sound; however, not for the reasons they adduced, but for the fact that the rebels need to account for the killings of black Africans, not for the pretensions of "confusing them as mercenaries hired by Gaddafi," but because of the anti-black, racist and innate hatred of black Africans, even though there are a million dark Africans who are Libyan citizens and are maltreated as well. There is no reason beating about the bush with regards to this point: the African Union must finally come to terms about the racist attitude of Arabs and especially Arab-Africans towards mainland Africans. In the past, the African Union had dealt with this issue by sweeping it under the carpet for such a long time in the name of a united Africa. To do otherwise, is a disservice to the millions of mainland Africans who live in the other 48 states of the continent. It is to the ultimate commendation of Dr. Ping to have come out and boldly state the obvious: the so-called Libyan rebels are killing black Africans from mainland Africa, pretending that they are "mercenaries" hired by Gaddafi rather than their innate hatred of black Africans. <br /> <br /> In a March31, 2011 article, Mr. Wolfgang Weber wrote, "The opposition forces in Libya attempting to march on Tripoli with the assistance of American, French and British bombs are far removed from the image of innocent civilians fighting for freedom and democracy promoted by the media and political circles."<br /> <br /> He quoted an article by Gunnar Heinsohn, author of <i>Encyclopaedia of Genocide</i> (Rowohlt, 1998), in which Heinsohn quoted well-known Zimbabwean journalist and film-maker Farai Sevenzo that dealt with the massacres perpetrated by the so-called "rebels" against black Africans. He quotes Sevenzo as writing, "“Because mercenaries from Chad and Mali are presumed to be fighting for him [Gaddafi], the lives of a million African refugees and thousands of African migrants are at risk. A Turkish construction worker told the British radio station BBC: ‘We had seventy to eighty people from Chad working for our company. They were massacred with pruning shears and axes, accused by the attackers of being Gaddafi’s troops. The Sudanese people were massacred. We saw it for ourselves.’ ”<br /> <br /> Sevenso further writes, “All the stops of international criminal law have been pulled against those prepared to bloodily defend their power. The material assets at risk are meticulously listed. But neither in the text of the resolution nor in the speeches of US Secretary of State Clinton or French President Sarkozy is any mention made of warnings or legal threats directed to the insurgents. The use of ‘mercenaries’ by the Libyan leadership is expressly condemned. But genocidal acts conducted under the same pretext—such as the mass killings of black African workers reported by Farai Sevenzo—go unmentioned…. A cloak of complete silence is being thrown up surrounding the deeds of his [Gaddafi’s] opponents.”<br /> <br /> Weber wrote further as follows, "On February 28, the Arab TV station Al Jazeera reported the racist massacre of black African workers by so-called “freedom fighters” as follows: “Dozens of workers from sub-Saharan Africa, it is feared, have been killed and hundreds are hiding because angry opponents of the government are hunting down black African mercenaries, witnesses reported…. According to official reports, about 90 Kenyans and 64 people from southern Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Burundi landed in Nairobi today.</p><p>“One of them, Julius Kiluu, a 60-year-old construction manager, told Reuters: ‘We were attacked by people from the village. They accused us of being murderous mercenaries. But in reality they simply refuse to tolerate us. Our camp was burnt down. Our company and our embassy helped us get to the airport.’</p><p> </p><p>“Hundreds of black immigrants from the poorest African countries, who work mainly as low-wage day laborers in Libya, have been wounded by the rebels. From fear of being killed, some of them have refrained from going to a doctor.”</p><p><br /> This is a narrative that the Western media refuses to acknowledge and publish, in their zeal to portray Moamar Gaddafi as a monster, bent on massacring his people. And moreso to lay their hands on Libya's oil and the $110 billion that Gaddafi invested for the Libyan people in Western banks. Already many of these banks have mismanaged billions of dollars of Libyan investment fund, and there is no better way of covering their criminal behaviors than supporting the Transitional National Council, with all the might of NATO. Mind you, what I am saying here has nothing to do with the fact that I vehemently abhor African dictators like Gaddafi who stay in office for life and then engineer their children to take over from them. I am entirely for Gaddafi leaving the stage in Libya, but not with the type of arrogance display of white European messianic zeal that the NATO countries have perpetrated in Libya.<br /> <br /> Before the question is asked about the 22 African countries that have recognized the Transitional National Council, let me just say this. The powerhouse of African countries, Nigeria, has been cited as one of the new countries that have recognized the Libyan rebels. I must state here that Nigeria has an axe to grind, legitimately of course, against Gaddafi who had called for the break-up of Nigeria into two countries on religious basis, Muslim and Christians but went further to add insult to injury by calling for the breakup of the countries into six geo-political zones. On the other hand, President Abdoulaye Wade, who was one of the first major African leaders to recognize the rebel group and even flew to Benghazi to offer his support, is trying to curry the favor of Western countries in his quest to stay in office and manipulate himself into a third term. When the time comes, Sarkozy, Cameron, Merkel and Obama will abandon him just as they conspired to effect regime change in Libya.<br /> <br /> To deny recognition for the Transitional National Council, is the best decision the African Union has made for a long time now, and it needs to stay steadfast in its position until the rebels in Libya come forward to account for their barbaric and brutal massacre of black Africans from mainland Africa.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Chika Onyeani is the author of the internationally-acclaimed and No.1 bestselling book, "Capitalist Nigger: The Road to Success - A Spider Web Doctrine," as well as the blockbuster novel, "The Broederbond Conspiracy (aka The Black James Bond) adapted by the San Francis State University to teach students who to write a spy novel. He is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning <a href="http://www.africansuntimes.com" target="_blank">African Sun Times</a>.</em></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong><em>visit the <a href="http://www.africansuntimes.com" target="_blank">African Sun Times</a><br /></em></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>The New Mandela is a Woman: Samia Nkrumahhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-new-mandela-is-a-woman2011-07-09T14:53:53.000Z2011-07-09T14:53:53.000Zmoorbeyhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/moorbey<div><p id="yui_3_2_0_5_1310218885361995"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1310218885361992" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1310218885361989" style="font-size:12px;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1310218885361986" style="color:#ff9900;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1310218885361983" style="font-size:24px;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1310218885361980" style="font-family:'arial black';"><span id="yui_3_2_0_5_1310218885361977" style="background-color:#003300;">The New Mandela is a Woman: Samia Nkrumah</span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></p><h2><em><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style="font-size:16px;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-kiss"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_0">Laura Kiss</span></a></span></span><br /> <span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">Journalist of La Repubblica Representative of Nobel Peace prize Betty Williams in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_1">Italy</span></span></span></span></em></h2><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';"><img src="http://us.mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1_736427_AI3Ti2IAANFtThg2Yg39eEPAKgA&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1" border="1" alt="download?mid=1%5f736427%5fAI3Ti2IAANFtThg2Yg39eEPAKgA&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1" /><br /> She was only 5 years old when she woke up one morning at the sound of gunshots coming from the garden. It was hard to overcome the fear but she and her brothers did, eventually. It was <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_2">February 24, 1966</span>, the military coup that changed the history of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_3">Ghana</span> for ever. On that day her mother told her to pray and immediately after insisted that "if they fire at you, nothing will happen to you".<br /> <br /> This is just one of the many incredible memories of Samia Nkrumah, the 48 year old daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_4">Republic of Ghana</span>, the man who in 1957 declared his country's independence, founded the Organization of African Unity, the precursor of the African Union of now and today is venerated like a saint by many in Ghana.<br /> <br /> Samia is now back in her country and at the end of last year was elected to Parliament, in Ghana's 5th multi-party elections since 1992. "It took many years and much experience of living and working in Ghana, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_5">Egypt</span>, the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_6">United Kingdom</span> and lastly in Italy, to come full circle and realize that the Pan-African project as articulated by my father, Kwame Nkrumah, offers the best response to our ongoing challenges", says Samia with a deep smile. Nkrumah's vision, as outlined in his books, are guidelines for Ghana and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_7">Africa</span> and they remain as relevant today as they were in the 50s and 60s. "Achieving political and economic liberation, social justice and national and continental unity including the African Diaspora are yet to be realized" continues Samia. "It is our task today to continue from where Nkrumah left, while remaining flexible as we adapt to changing circumstances".<br /> <br /> Till the moment she moved back to Ghana in early 2008, Samia lead a "normal" life. She lived in Italy for the last 10 years with her Italian husband and their 12 years old son Kwame, and she did not think about going back to her country of birth till the moment she met her father's literary executrix (her name is June Milne; she is now 90 years old and living in England). This meeting opened up her heart. "This woman told me the most unbelievable stories about my father and she especially made me understand what an incredible spirit he had. He lived all his life for his cause and his people and while she was telling me these stories I felt that sooner or later, I would have to revisit his lifework". Samia really believes this, as one can note traveling with her through Ghana. People recognize her in the streets when she stops to buy some bananas for the trip. "You will be our President, you are our Mother", say some young people to her. And she always smiles while transmitting an incredible compassion. She has a deep capacity to relate to people. She came back to her country deeply convinced that only by respecting the rules and starting from the poorest part of her country, the Jomoro district -- which is where her grandfather's hometown is located and where she was elected -- could she make a difference.<br /> <br /> In a few months she has become the hope of an entire nation and her popularity is as high as the newly elected President John Atta Mills. She made big news in Ghana's last election by snatching the Jomoro Constituency for the CPP (Convention People's Party, founded by her father) from a strong candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Lee Ocran. This event was extremely important for the Ghanaian political scene and people really started to believe that "Kwame Nkrumah's spirit has come back and is shining on Ghana."<br /> <br /> Today the two major political parties fight to get her votes in Parliament and have both tried to reach an alliance with the CPP. "For now we will stay independent" affirms Samia, "We always keep in mind our principal goal which is meeting the social needs of our people. There is a lot to do in my country, and our objective, as our father's, is to bring about a descent standard of living for our people. In the Jomoro district, many communities have no electricity, no running or portable water, and inadequate school facilities. If we want to improve our country, we must start from these issues. Especially we must start from education, because without a proper education there will be no development. Our father's idea of Pan-africanism was not restricted to a political project but his vision also embraced the economic as well as the cultural aspects of our development.<br /> <br /> It envisioned a large cultural movement concerning all of Africa and Africans everywhere, as well as all who believe that unity, freedom and justice are the basis for real change. "For this reason I have decided to enter active politics in Ghana to promote the enduring vision of my father, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, for Ghana and Africa's socio-economic and cultural emancipation. I have come to understand that being Nkrumah's daughter means being a daughter of Ghana and Africa and having a responsibility to Africans everywhere". Her modesty comes through as she admits: "I was not always so sure of the way forward as I am today. The dangers of political life were brought home to me early on in life. However, Kwame Nkrumah's presence in my life, as it is in that of many other Africans, has been constant, powerful and lasting. In fact, his ideas have resonance with many of us irrespective of our political persuasions and affiliations. So while I am affiliated with a particular political party, I am embracing all Ghanaians in my thoughts".<br /> <br /> She also thinks that being a women makes a difference: "We give our best when we do retain our "feminine" qualities of love, gentleness, patience, joy, humility, dignity, prudence and above all grace. These qualities are indeed as present in men as in women. So here I will refer to the feminine qualities in us all irrespective of our gender. As it happens, these qualities seem to be more obvious in women due to our upbringing and cultural education. So in a sense, when we say we want stronger female participation in politics or in any other sector, we mean we also want to see more of those feminine qualities visible in parliament, in politics, in community work, and at all levels of decision-making. We want politics with another flavour. We want to see the politics of humanity, of dignity, of dialogue, of wisdom, of grace. I have found many of these qualities are exemplified in the vision and political thought of Kwame Nkrumah".<br /> <br /> Samia explains that Nkrumaism has at its centre three main guiding principles: liberation, justice and unity. At the heart of it is the objective of reversing the consequences of colonialism and slavery by realizing dignity, socio-political and economic emancipation. The main instrument in achieving this aim is unity. "We shall be proud of who we are" continues Samia, "of our food and the way we eat, of our languages, of our tradition, of our costume and so on. We shall move towards economic self-reliance by improving our manufacturing sector and investing heavily in human resources. We shall strive to achieve social justice, social equality, social security, and genuine democracy that includes education and equality between men and women, and human rights."</span></span><br /> ----------------------------------<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#ff00ff;"><span style="font-size:24px;"><span style="font-family:'arial black';"><span style="background-color:#993300;">Delle Tells Samia: Think Carefully...You're Only 3 Years Old In The CPP</span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">31-May-2011-- <a target="_blank" href="http://elections.peacefmonline.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_8">elections.peacefmonline.com</span></a><br /> <br /> A former National Chairman of the Convention Peoples Party, Prof Edmund Delle is making a passionate appeal to the party's Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Samia Nkrumah to rescind her decision to contest the chairmanship slot of the party and rather concentrate on her seat in parliament.<br /> <br /> Three members of the party, including the current National Chairman, Ladi Nylander have declared their intention to contest the chairmanship position of the CPP in the upcoming National Delegates Congress <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310222786_9">on June 24</span> and 25 2011.<br /> <br /> Samia Nkrumah is already on the field vigorously campaigning to win the hearts and minds of CPP delegates.<br /> <br /> However, Prof Delle who lost his chairmanship position in 2007 to Mr Nylander said since the Jomoro seat is the only one CPP has in parliament, it would be worth it if Hon Samia Nkrumah rather concentrate her efforts in retaining the seat, saying, "a bird in hand is better than two in the bush".<br /> <br /> According to him, Samia Nkrumah is going to find the 2012 elections "very tough" especially against the governing NDC, saying it is going to be difficult for her to combine the two positions.<br /> <br /> "The NDC are telling her she is going to get a very tough time now at Jomoro, so the best thing for her is to concentrate on her seat. Maybe, she doesn't know what it means to be a national chairman. The duties are so heavy that it would be difficult to combine your position as an MP, and as a national chairman. Even now she has to campaign very hard to get the seat at Jomoro because it's not an easy seat. There is going to be very tough competition there."<br /> <br /> Prof Delle who touted his experiences as a former chairman, said Samia Nkrumah, who he said is only three years old as a CPP member, would have to bid her time, study the terrain and "know that winning in a constituency is different from winning a national delegates congress".<br /> <br /> He however remained resolute saying "I am not afraid at all, since this is an election, I wish her well and we'll see who is going to win; the young against the old, the experienced against the inexperienced".<br /> <br /> But the woman in question, Samia Nkrumah in reaction said she would contest the chairmanship slot since the CPP in her estimation has become so poor some people will need to take up two positions.</span></span></div>African Diaspora Leaders Pushed One Africa, Developmenthttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/african-diaspora-leaders2011-06-20T14:05:58.000Z2011-06-20T14:05:58.000ZSendMeYourNewshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/SendMeYourNews<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828527034,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828527034,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="566" alt="3828527034?profile=original" /></a></p>
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<p><font><font><font><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">“The building of a United States of Africa is most critical for the security and the sustainable economic development of African people in the world”, declared Omowale Clay, Vice Chair of the African Union Diaspora Task Team (AUDITT). Omowale was speaking at the second annual African Diaspora-Strategy Session on the African Union (ADISSAU) to report on AUDTT and the 2012 Global Diaspora Summit scheduled for South Africa. The meeting took place at African Union (AU) Mission in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 2011.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
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<p><font><font><font><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The meeting called by the RHAW Pan African Ministers and the World African Diaspora Union (WADU) had representatives from other key organizations across the African Diaspora, including of embassies and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). WADU commissioners Nana Farika Birhane, Queen Mother Yaa Dorothy Lewis presided over the meeting with Traditional Priest Ifaniyi (Chief Elder of North Carolina) providing divine guidance. WADU is an umbrella organization with a representative leadership of organizations with thousands of Africa activist leaders across the African Diaspora.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
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<p><font><font><font><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Some key objectives of the meeting were to: 1. Ensure a wide representation and participation of the African Diaspora in shaping the African Union Diaspora Task Team (AUDITT) sixth region proposal for action; 2. Identify ways to intensify the next phase of African liberation for African security and sustainable economic development; and 3. Commit a new generation of leaders for the fulfillment of the Pan African mission.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
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<p><font><font><font><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Ms. Angelle Kwemo of Congressman Bobby Rush’s Office made a presentation of HR 656 - The African Investment and Diaspora Act (AIDA) of 2011. During the meeting, Min. P.D. Menelik Harris (Secretary General of WADU) called for the mobilization of the African Diaspora in support of AIDA. He stressed that it creates an unprecedented economic model for the African Diaspora to stimulate economic growth, investments and trade between African Diaspora in the United States of America and Africa, enhancing the current AGOA bill, strengthening U.S. - Africa bilateral relations and creating jobs in both continents. Min. Menelik helped to spearhead the passing of AGOA at the turn of the century as a way to initiate Africa’s ‘second liberation’ for African economic empowerment.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
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<p><font><font><font><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The ADISSAU meeting came as the AU prepares to meet for its annual Summit to strategize on ways to end the unrelenting attack on Africa by former colonial nations. Mr. Yao L. McCarthy, WADU Commissioner in North Carolina, urged for “volunteers from the African Diaspora to provide unconditional support to the AU at this critical moment in history.” Mr. Senghor Baye, President General of the UNIA/ACL issued an urgent appeal to all African Diaspora organizations to work in unity to end the attack on Africa and to support Africa’s empowerment. On the issue of culture, Obi Egbuna called for the African people to establish educational programs such as more rites of passage to ensure the generational transference of African heritage and knowledge. The ADISSAU also called for prioritizing an African Diaspora banking system to increase the flow of capital for African investments.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
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<p><font><font><font><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Other Key leaders participating in the meeting are Marcos Garcia, (Representative of Venezuela to the U.S.); Ms. Julia Imene-Chanduru (Embassy of Namibia); Ms. Nicole Boden, Congressional Black Caucus (CBC): Rev. Samuel Nixon, Jr. (African American Unity Caucus); Queen Mother Dr. Blakely (New Future Foundation); Mwariama Kamau, International Organizer (UNIA/ACL); Baba Kassayi Hailu (African Unity of Harlem); Dr. Rosemary Segero (Hope4Tomorrow); Belinda Shepard (Africa - City Friendship Project); and Barbara Stewart (AU6th Region-Canada). Some other key organizations represented were UNIA/ACL, December -12<sup>th</sup> Movement, African Union 6<sup>th</sup> Region Canada/Europe, HABESHA, All African peoples Revolutionary Party, NCOBRA, Global African Congress, Black Power Media and PANAFSTRAG.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
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<p><font><font><font><em><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Finally, ADISSAU participants were reminded to support the NCOBRA conference in Chicago on June 25, 2011 and the ‘Millions March’ for Africa in Harlem on August 13, 2011. The participants were urged to promote ADISSAU as a strategic and action oriented <b>committee</b> of leaders representing diverse organizations to support critical issues affecting Africa such as ‘Africa’s re-colonization’, AUDITT, AIDA, Diaspora citizenship and reparations.</font></em></font></font></font></p>
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<p align="center"><font><font><font><em><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Next AUDITT briefing will be July 17, 2011 in Atlanta, GA.</font></em></font></font></font></p>
<p align="center"><font><font><font><em><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">For more information, please contact <b><a href="http://WADUPAM.ORG" target="_blank">WADUPAM.ORG</a>. or</b></font> </em><b><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">718-523-3312/404-527-7756</font></font></b></font></font></font></p>
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<p><font><font><font><em><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><b><br /></b></font></em></font></font></font></p></div>African Diaspora Leaders to hold Special Session at African Union Office in Washington, D.C.https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/african-diaspora-leaders-to2011-06-10T14:54:49.000Z2011-06-10T14:54:49.000ZTheBlackListhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackList<div><p align="center"><b><i><u><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b>RHAW Pan African Ministers</b><br />African Diaspora Leaders to hold Special Session at AU Office in WDC</font></font></u></i></b></p>
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<p><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Atlanta<strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong>.</strong> The RHAW Pan African Ministers, World African Diaspora Union (WADU) and other key African organizations will participate in the second annual African Diaspora-Strategy Session on the African Union (ADISSAU) on Friday, June 17, 2011 at the African Union (AU) Office in Washington, D.C. The June 2011 meeting will include African ambassadors and representatives of major African Diaspora organizations.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The meeting comes as the African Union prepares to meet for its annual 2011 Summit focusing on youth. Also, the meeting comes at period of overwhelming and relentless attacks by former colonial foreign forces on Africa. Additionally, the meeting comes at the eve of Juneteenth, a period of remembrance of centuries of mass rape, genocidal killings and enslavement of Africans in the USA and promoting ways to restore African dignity and humanity, for the service of African people and the world.</font></font></p>
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<p><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><em>This June 17, 2011 meeting at the AU office is to expand on our successful 2010 strategy session that has expedited the AU Diaspora agenda. A successful 2011 meeting will set the foundation for the mobilization of our beloved people in the African Diaspora for the rebuilding of our global communities in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</em> Some key objectives are to: 1. Ensure a wide representation and participation of key African Diaspora partners and stakeholders in the African Union Diaspora Task Team (AUDITT) sixth region proposal for action; 2. Identify ways to intensify the next phase of African liberation for African security and sustainable economic development; and 3. Commit a new generation of leaders for the fulfillment of the Pan African mission.</font></font></p>
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<p><em><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">If you are not able to attend, you may help in several ways: 1. Send us your ideas for advancing African people, especially for the union of the African Diaspora; 2. Call your U.S. government representatives and urge them to stop the war on Africa and to support Black economic development; and 3. Contact the African Union, the Nigerian, South African and Ugandan governments and urge them to immediately establish a <b>Union Government of Africa</b> to ensure our long term freedom, security and development.</font></font></em></p>
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<p><strong><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Finally, those attending ADISSAU are urged to visit congressional offices in the morning to promote economic justice, peace and unity in the African world. For more information, please contact us at WADUPAM.ORG, 404-527- 7756 (Menelik, ATL), 718-523-3312 (Watusi), NYC) or 240-277-5140 (Yaa, WDC). </font></font></strong></p></div>