History of the African Diaspora
Organization of African Unity Founded
To understand how the words "African Diaspora" became a legal term in international law, recognized by over 81 countries we have to go back to the formation of the "Organization of African Unity" in 1963 when all the Presidents from the Free African Countries met in Ethiopia to create the organization. 40 years later, this is the organization that would eventually register their recognition of the African Diaspora in the international community. Which gave us the opportunity we have today to use that legislation to create a government.
Malcom X Goes to Africa. Speaks at 2nd Meeting of the O.A.U.
Hearing the historic news about African Leaders uniting under the O.A.U. in 1963 Malcom X went to Africa for their second meeting in 1964 and spoke to the assembly. They told him they want to support the Black Liberation struggle in America, but they cannot legally contract with him because he was not elected as an official representative of Black America so they instructed him to go back to America and organize the people with other Black Leaders to hold an election to select a leader. Then that leader would be able to sit with them and get their support. As soon as Malcom X began this work, he was assassinated and nobody else picked up the torch until 40 years later when the Presidents themselves began to recognize the African Diaspora.
This historic amendment is what Malcom X was fighting for in his last days! Recognition from the international community as a pivotal step towards accessing our Human Rights. The leaders in Africa were the first ones to recognize us in this legislative action. If Social media was around in 2003, this would have trended for months, but the opposite happened. Nobody to date, effectively got this fundamental message to trend in the western hemisphere...
Siphewe Baleka - The Only African American Witness To The Historic Amendment in 2003
Ironically, during the historic amendment for the African Diaspora, there was no official delegation from the African Diaspora present at the meeting. Just one sole Black Man from Chicago. At the time in his life he was committed to the Rastafarian way of life and was known as Ras Nathaniel. That life path led him to living in Ethiopia on the land provided to the African Diaspora in 1948 as a gift to support those who wanted to return to Africa. Ras Nathaniel would frequent the African Union headquarters because it was the only place at the time he could access the internet. If it were not for him, there would have been no representation for Black Americans at that meeting. He ended up eventually becoming the first African American officially mandated to spread awareness and organize elections to participate in the building of the African Union.
Proposed official Definition for the African Diaspora, "Keep Working On It."
At the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, a definition for the "African Diaspora" was proposed but the African Union Commission requested for a more suitable definition
Official Definition Adopted for the "African Diaspora"
During the Seventh Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, the decision to adopt the official defintion for "African Diaspora" was made.
Continued executive meetings giving subtance to the African Diaspora on Government levels
The Eighth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union acknowledges the efforts of the Commission and Member States in advancing and promoting relations between the African continent and the African diaspora. This is the work that was taking place to firmly place the African Diaspora into the records of the international community.
12th Ordinary Session of the African Union's Executive Council
The 12 Ordinary Session reviewed notes from the First African Union Diaspora Ministerial Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa (held from 16 to 18 November 2007), participants discussed and embraced a Programme and Plan of Action for the Diaspora Initiative. The conference aimed to strengthen ties between the African diaspora and the continent, focusing on issues such as development, investment, and cultural exchange. Notably, this event marked a significant step in recognizing the importance of engaging with the African diaspora for mutual benefit and collaboration.
Decision on African Diaspora Representation - 12 Ordinary Session
The decision on the representation of the African Diaspora in AU assemblies establishes a framework for involving the African Diaspora in AU decision-making processes, recognizing their potential contribution to the continent’s development. This decision is significant because it formalizes the role of the Diaspora, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusivity and leveraging the global African community's expertise and resources for African development.
80 Countries Issue Declaration of Global African Diaspora
All countries in Africa, South America and Caribbean have acknowledged the african diaspora