Pan-Africanist Unity and Union Government

[RWalker]

Below you will find a post I made to the Pan-Africanism thread I also moderate. I posted it because there is a need to understand the various forms of unity that are part of the struggle to build Pan-Africanism. I decided to post here also because it has implications for the construction of an Union Government in Africa.

Roy


Here are a few informative works from the recent history of Pan-Africanism starting with Malcolm's Letter from Accra and the UNIA's position on the principled unity of Nkrumahism and Garveyism -- is it important to remember that Malcolm believed that his meeting with Kwame Nkrumah marked his highest honor and greatest opportunity for progress. and that he described Nkrumah as being so knowledgable about affairs among Africans in the US, that you would believe that he is out there on the corner with you. Also note that although our UNIA brother did a great service in publishing the article on the unity of Garveyism and Nkrumahism, he did not fully elaborate on the systemic nature of Nkrumahism, instead concentrating on the elemental unity between the two compatible ideological systems. Note that in his letter Malcolm calls for working unity; and in the Garveyism-Nkrumahism piece the author is essentially talking about Principled Unity.

This post concludes with communiques from the AU and CARICOM that reflect the current state of official African Unity between CARICOM and the AU, and between CARICOM and Cuba. Note that the AU - CARICOM structures have some of the same drawbacks as the OAU, but nonetheless Pan-Africanists must encourage the positive aspect of these two organizations whenever and wherever possible. There actions should not be confused with Pan-Africanism as much of what they do and advocate runs contrary to Pan-Africanism; but on the other hand some of what they do assist in the realization of Pan-Africanism, in a functional way. For example it would be very helpful if CARICOM used their upcoming meeting with Cuba to move closer to that state, a state that assists African revolutionaries from all over the world, including our young ancestor Kwame Ture and Sister Assata Shakur. (See CARICOM statement on the upcoming CARICOM - Cuba meeting).These are examples of functional unity.

The pieces from the AU and CARICOM are based on implied functional and working unity essentially. Those elements in the two groups, and those among the Cuban society who wish to see it escalate to principled unity should be encouraged by all of us

---------------
Letter from Accra Malcolm X (Omowale)
April, 1964

I arrived in Accra yesterday from Lagos, Nigeria. The natural beauty and wealth of Nigeria and its people are indescribable. It is full of Americans and other whites who are well aware of its untapped natural resources. The same whites, who spit in the faces of blacks in America and sic their police dogs upon us to keep us from "integrating" with them, are seen throughout Africa, bowing, grinning and smiling in an effort to "integrate" with the Africans -- they want to "integrate" into Africa's wealth and beauty. This is ironical.
This continent has such great fertility and the soil is so profusely vegetated that with modern agricultural methods it could easily become the "breadbasket" of the world.

I spoke at Ibadan University in Nigeria, Friday night, and gave the true picture of our plight in America, and of the necessity of the independent African nations helping us bring our case before the United Nations. The reception of the students was tremendous. They made me an honorary member of the "Muslim Students Society of Nigeria," and renamed me "Omowale," which means "the child has come home" in the Yoruba language.

The people of Nigeria are strongly concerned with the problems of their African brothers in America, but the U.S. information agencies in Africa create the impression that progress is being made and the problem is being solved. Upon close study, one can easily see a gigantic design to keep Africans here and the African-Americans from getting together. An African official told me, "When one combines the number of peoples of African descent in South, Central and North America, they total well over 80 million. One can easily understand the attempts to keep the Africans from ever uniting with the African-Americans." Unity between the Africans of the West and the Africans of the fatherland will well change the course of history.

Being in Ghana now, the fountainhead of Pan-Africanism, the last days of my tour should be intensely interesting and enlightening.'

Just as the American Jew is in harmony (politically, economically and culturally) with world Jewry, it is time for all African-Americans to become an integral part of the world's Pan-Africanists, and even though we might remain in America physically while fighting for the benefits the Constitution guarantees us, we must "return" to Africa philosophically and culturally and develop a working unity in the framework of Pan-Africanism.

1. Garveyism's view of Nkrumahism:

By DR. Y.D. AGYEMAN-DICKSON

Garveyism preaches in eloquent terms the gospel of universal solidarity and cemented unity of the African race both at home and abroad. It simply means Africa for the Africans at home and abroad.

Nkrumahism richly underlines boldly but proudly that Garveyism's philosophy has as its logical goal that the Black race, to be respected by the other races, must command power and authority on the African continent. To interpret this ideology, Garveyism and Nkrumahism believe in positive terms that the United States of Africa is the only means for the Blacks to be respected in the Councils of the United Nations.

If the Union of Africa had been alive, Patrice Lumumba of blessed memory, the legal president of the Congo, would not have suffered the monstrous murder from the hands of the imperialists. Because Africans commanding respect, power and authority would have had the means of rushing African continental troops to the Congo and saved our great son, Lumumba.

Nkrumahism believes that the powers of governments spring from the will of the people and should be exercised in the optimum accordance therewith. Towards this refined philosophical end, Ghana has nobly lent and sacrificed her small national income in millions of dollars to Guinea, Mali and Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) to develop their industries and the running of their governmental administrative machineries.

Nkrumahism teaches in loud terms that the African race both at home and abroad should strive hard for the African Union and that no person should suffer discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, religion or political belief both on the African continent and abroad particularly in the United States of America and South America.

Nkrumahism believes in equal opportunities for all. To interpret the beliefs of Nkrumahism, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana has decreed compulsory and free education for all Ghanaians and the training of potential Africans in the African Ideological School in Ghana freely.

Nkrumahism as well as Garveyism believes that the higher standard of living must favour the race as a whole through a fair distribution of our national wealth both at home and in the United States, South America and West Indies. Nkrumahism believes that the Black people holding the reins of government should become producers of raw materials as well as manufacturers and not mere consumers of the finished products of other races. Only in this light will the Black race command a fair share of the world's selling and buying market and thereby employing the other races also.

On religion, Garveyism puts it in simple but plain terms that it is one's own opinion and belief in some ethical truth. The Belgian Catholic State Government went to the Congo with the religious belief to exploit our race. The Belgians ethical mission was clothed under the guise of religion whereas in reality they went to rob the Blacks in the Congo of their natural resources.

Nkrumahism thus sings to the tune of One God, One Aim and One Destiny, and this just God should be served in the maximum interest of each race's earthly happiness, on the altar of the brotherhood of man.

Nkrumahism believes that the power that holds Africa today is human and Ghana's independence is not divine. That power has indeed proved to the world that whatsoever that the whites have done and are doing, the Black race can do it with ease and in splendor. The ploughing of the Black Star Ships of Ghana manned by the Blacks on the seas have indeed given shade, shape and color to the African Personality.

Nkrumahism thus potentially preaches African Personality. Nkrumahism injects the virus of nationalism and pride of the race's history in her youths.
Nkrumahism thus faithfully but genuinely believes in the dignity of labor and the due respect for the race's womanhood.
*originally published in Garvey's Voice Sept-Oct 1963
http://www.unia-acl.org/archive/garvnkru.htm


2. African Union Press Release in re: Relations with CARICOM

PRESS RELEASE NO. 56/2005
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare
and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and Grenadines, Mr. Ralph E. Gonsalues
on Friday, 21st October, 2005 had discussions on various issues of mutual
interest to Africa and the Caribbeans.

Prof. Konare briefed Mr. Gonsalues and explained the key differences between
the African Union and the Organization of African Unity, among which he said,
the African Union aims at finding a stronger link between the Diaspora and
Africa.
In this regard, Prof. Konare said that the AU plans to build and maintain a
mechanism for regular exchange of views between the African Union and the
Community of Caribbean States (CARICOM) among other means, through
sharing cultural and sport exchanges, maintaining direct air transportation,
attending each other’s major meetings as observers, and effective use of the
mass media, particularly, radio and television communication. “We shall be
stronger when we are united�, Prof. Konare declared.
Mr. Gonsalues emphasized the importance of the strategic perspective of the
African Union, which he said, underlines political dialogue as a prerequisite for
building the necessary conditions for the mutual benefit of the two sides.
Addis Ababa,
Monday, October 24, 2005
http://www.africa-union.org/

3. Caribbean and Africa the CARICOM point of view
a.
Relations with the African Union

Heads of Government welcomed the initiatives being taken to strengthen the relationship between the African Union and the Community. They expressed appreciation for the decision of the AU to include the Diaspora as its Sixth Region. They noted with satisfaction, the report of the Conference co-hosted by the Governments of South Africa and Jamaica with the theme “Towards Unity and United Action by Africans and the African Diaspora in the Caribbean for a better world.�

Heads asserted that they would use the opportunities presented in international fora to engage their African Union counterparts. On behalf of the Community, the Secretary-General conveyed amessage to the African Union on the occasion of the Fifth Ordinary Session of its Assembly.

b.
MESSAGE FROM THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) TO THE AFRICAN UNION (AU)
ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY The Caribbean Community conveys warm and fraternal wishes to the African Union (AU). It is with great pleasure that the kind invitation to our Secretary-General to be a specially invited guest to the Fifth Ordinary Session of Assembly of the African Union and to address the Opening Session was received. We were honored by this gesture and deeply regret that the coincidence of dates with our Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government - the supreme organ of the Caribbean Community - has prevented his attendance. The launch of the African Union in Durban in 2002 was an historic event for the Continent of Africa. In the three short years since this event, the African Union has made its presence felt in the International Community. CARICOM congratulates the African Union on its achievements. Our Community follows with great interest the creative efforts of the AU in the development of new institutional arrangements to achieve the objective of accelerating integration in the continent to enable Africa to play its rightful place in the International Community. We are heartened by the decision of the African Union to include its Diaspora as the Sixth Region and to involve the representatives of the Caribbean Diaspora in deliberations in the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, the civil society advisory group. The bonds between the African Continent and the Caribbean are strong. A large proportion of our population can trace their ancestral roots to Africa. For many years we have worked closely with AU Member States in many fora, including the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, the Commonwealth and the United Nations. The Caribbean supported the efforts of the people of Southern Africa to eradicate the scourge of apartheid. Many of our professionals have given their services to the African Continent. The advent of the African Union has strengthened these ties and has created the opportunity for future cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean at all levels. If both our Regions have chosen the sometimes complex route of integration to fulfill our aspirations of socio-economic prosperity, it is because of our mutual belief that our greatest strength and consequence potential to tackle the future development needs of our respective Regions lies in unity and solidarity. We welcomed the visit to our Community of the President of South Africa in July 2003 during our 30th anniversary celebrations, particularly in light of the fact that it was during his tenure as the First President of the African Union. His visit highlighted the spirit of cooperation between the Caribbean and opened the doors for greater collaboration and solidarity between Africa and the Caribbean. The presence of Prime Minister Arthur of Barbados - the Lead Head of Government with responsibility for the the Community’s flagship, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) - at the Second Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly in Maputo, Mozambique was a demonstration of our commitment to work with the African Union to address our common problems and to strengthen our alliance in the face of global challenges. The meeting between CARICOM Heads of Government and some AU Member States at the time of the Commonwealth Heads in Abuja and the signing of a memorandum of understanding for future cooperation by our Foreign Ministers are other demonstrations of our commitment to the process of deeper collaboration. At the Twenty-Sixth Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government on 3-5 July 2005, Heads of Government will receive a report of the outcome of the conference which was co-sponsored by the Government of Jamaica and South Africa on 16th-18th March 2005 under the theme, “Towards Unity and United Action by Africans and the African Diaspora in the Caribbean for a better world�. This conference which was attended by all CARICOM Member States with representatives from both the public sector and civil society, recommended the further development of a concrete mechanism for the institutionalization of the relationships between the AU and CARICOM, identified specific areas for collaboration and the building of linkages between countries in Africa and the Caribbean, called for collaboration among civil society and agreed that CARICOM and the AU would explore ways to harness international diplomacy to promote our mutual objectives in the UN and the WTO. The endorsement of these recommendations by the CARICOM Heads of Government will allow for the mainstreaming of these initiatives in the work programme of the Community. The CARICOM Secretariat looks forward to working with the AU Secretariat to further these initiatives following the meetings of our respective Heads of Government. Today, a significant number of the world’s poorest people live in the countries that are Member States of the AU, yet this continent is the source of some of the world’s riches resources. The adoption of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) by the AU, is a reflection of your determination to harness your own resources to extricate yourselves from poverty, underdevelopment and marginalization. The Caribbean Community would like to offer its support in these efforts. We have observed with interest the steps which have been taken to implement this strategic framework for Africa’s development. We share your view that good governance is a basic requirement for peace and security and in this context we welcome your design and implementation of the Peer Review Mechanism. This is scheme worthy of emulation in our own Region. We also welcome the recent G8 Africa Action Plan which promises debt relief, increased aid flows, a commitment to improve global market access for African exports and an agreement to provide medical assistance to the continent. We note however, that even as these measures are discussed there are developments in the marketing of commodities, such as sugar and cotton, which negatively impact the future of many countries in both of our Regions. We share your concerns about the slow progress of the implementation of the Doha Development Work programme in the WTO. We encourage our trade negotiators to continue their collaboration so as to ensure that the Hong Kong WTO Ministerial Conference yields positive results for both our Regions. One of the common items on our respective Heads of Governments agendas is the preparations for the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly where the subject of the reform of the United Nations will be a major focus as well as High Level Plenary on the Millennium Declaration, in particular the Millennium Development Goals. CARICOM notes with interest the Ezulwini Consensus which sets out the AU position on United Nations reform. CARICOM Heads of Government will determine our Community’s position at their current session bearing in mind that the decisions taken on UN reform will have long-lasting consequences for the functioning of the organisation, as well as for the development, security, and human rights issues that fall within its purview. The High Level Plenary on the MDGs will be a unique opportunity to refocus the global attention on matters of development and to seek to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the management of global economic affairs. The Caribbean Community stands ready to strengthen its partnership with the African Union and takes this opportunity to wish you a fruitful and successful Fifth Assembly. Castries, Saint Lucia
1 July 2005


4 Caricom and Cuba

CARICOM-Cuba Summit

Heads of Government recalled their undertaking to meet with the President of Cuba on a triennial basis to discuss issues of mutual interest. They agreed to the convening of the Summit in Barbados on 8 December 2005, and proposed the theme “Caribbean Strategies for Human Security�.

http://www.caricom.org/jsp/communica...communications

[Immanuel]

one love, one Creator, one mind
The rebirth of Nubian Unity

The African Americans destiny today has arrived at the door of independence. The African American experience must develop into National independence. In other words, like the amazing human fetus, we have developed the ability to become independent from the womb of America in the year 2oo6. To allow our super abilities to remain enclosed in the womb of American would be unnatural and further complicate our position in the international blueprint of Almighty God. It is required of us today to cast off the apparent immorality entwine in African America’s pop culture mentality. We must keep in mind the many sacrifices of our noble Ancestors, thereby acknowledging that we are the results of their efforts, and that our children’s children will be the results of all our efforts today.

There are no valid or intelligent reasons to argue, quarrel, or dispute any social transformation towards mental and spiritual excellences. Likewise, no spiritually stable human being would oppose sound ideas and realistic plans to support Black Americans destiny on African soil. Our blood is the umbilical cord of our African heritage and birthright. These are the keys to our destiny:

What benefits would people of Africa receive from a new African American presents in Africa?
We say “improved economic conditions, national wealth, medical advancement, state of the art technical support, improved telecommunication systems, up to date scientific ideas and technology, food and water resources, and political alliances with the worlds 10th wealthiest people on earth. In fact, there are African Americans working in the United States government with exceptional intelligence and the wiliness to support this Noble vision of a new African American government (in Africa).

Is an African American dual citizenship possible?
We say yes! There are many African Americans social/political scientist, corporate/civil lawyers and Black professionals in other fields of science with the collective ability to convince the United States Government to allow us to have a dual citizenship. We submit that our presents in Africa will also create a new transatlantic economic opportunity, directly contributing possibly billions of tax dollars towards revenue in American. One may ask,

How can a plan materialize on such a large social scale?
We realize that man is a product of his environment. Accordingly, we can demonstrate that there are presently over 250 thousand Black men and women with the right attitudes and technical skills to help improve many Africa countries, and the “ability” to build a new Super-Nubian nation.

Are we working to create a utopia society?
No. We believe that the eternal King Christ Jesus will return in due time and introduce a divine plan for all mankind. Our goals in building a new Nation are to create an ideal environment, whereby we can collectively determine the best methods of self-government.
Will we ask the American government to help us?
Yes, we believe that our vision to develop a new Nation on African soil, will interest the United States Government, and coincide with our brothers and sisters advocating reparations. Thus, we will establish a strong diplomatic relations with the U.S, and operate within the guidelines of the United Nation.

Will we ask other governments for assistance?
Yes. We expect that there will be many people from around this world interested in establishing a social and economic presents within our new country. Furthermore, we will need to own all the necessary military artillery (modern army tanks, aircraft, satellite surveillances, missal capability, and Marine forces) to defend our Nation from any opposing agents around this world.

Why do we want to leave America?
We are not advocating any hate. No We believe that the idea of Black America forming a Government, was conceived in the minds many Black geniuses throughout American and Ancient Hebrew History. Yes. We are establishing a new nation in order to perpetuate the development of our national genius internationally: Similar, to the United States of America social and economic genesis. We envision that 15 years from the writing of this declaration in the year 2021, as a Nation, our economic, scientific, and social progress will have improved the state of humanity, offset many human disasters, and pleased the will of Almighty God.

Realistically, how long do we project this new nation to materialize?
Over night! We presently have in our spiritual and physical membership excellent public speakers, outstanding college professors, corporate and civil lawyers, top medical doctors, engineers, scientists, brilliant architect, master carpenters, brick masons, electricians, plumbers, drywall installers, Black millionaire, economic geniuses, Hollywood Superstars, famous athletes and Black military and federal retired individual with the expertise to establish this modern super-Nubian nation.

If Black America has not united here in America, what now will cause us to want to unite and build a new nation on African soil?
We are the masters of self; we understand that Black people around this world have the natural desire to improve self and challenge the unknown. We submit, the very style used in conveying this International Declaration, is in true rhythm with the under current thoughts and desires in many of Black people around the world. We hold the knowledge and technology to help harness the Genius of all Black people on earth. We are human butterflies, Nubian geniuses, Rulers, Generals, Majors, and economic captains. United we are the incarnated excellences of human potential!

What we are asking of you to do?
We first thank you for your time. Our time is equally important. Nevertheless, we only ask that you participate in the idea of African American Government on African soil. Today we ask that you join our website www.AwakeningBlackgenus.com. In doing this one action, we believe that the spirit of Christ within you will perform the rest and manifest your best results.
Peace and love be yours,
OBGI