SRDC, the African Union, the Community Town Hall and Pan-Afrikanism: Questions and Answers

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

THE PURPOSE OF SRDC

What is the SRDC and what is its purpose?

• The Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus (SRDC) was created to assist the Afrikan Diaspora in organizing itself to accept the invitation of the AU
  • Based on the fact that there are currently five official Regions of the AU (North, South, East, West and Central Afrika), and the fact that the Diaspora would not geographically or socio-politically fit in any of these five Regions, the proposal before the AU is that the Diaspora be recognized as a Sixth Region
  • While discussion continues among the AU Heads of State concerning the best way to incorporate the Diaspora (as well as the best way to officially create the Union of African States), the AU Commission has been given the task of assisting with the Diaspora’s inclusion in the AU, and to that end the Diaspora has been charged with organizing itself in preparation for entry into the AU
  • The Western Hemisphere African Diaspora Network (WHADN) and the Eastern Hemisphere African Diaspora Network (EHADN) had been initially formed to provide technical assistance; their term has ended and the responsibility for organizing the Diaspora has now fallen to the Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus (SRDC), which maintains regular contact with and receives advice from the AU Commission
• One important purpose of SRDC is to inform, organize and prepare Afrikan Diasporan communities for entry into the AU through the following process:
  • Organize local (city and statewide) communities of Afrikan people in the Diaspora by bringing Pan-Afrikan organizations together in Town Hall Meetings
  • Establish and implement a process through which local communities elect Councils of Elders, Representatives and Observers on a statewide, countrywide and region-wide basis
  • Bring these Elders, Representatives and Observers together on a national, regional and Diaspora-wide level to clarify a Pan-Afrikan Agenda, based on the needs of all of the local communities taken together and in common
  • Take this Pan-Afrikan Agenda to the AU Summit and represent it, as well as Diasporan Afrikans, at the AU’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), the AU’s civil-society committee
• SRDC currently maintains chapters in the following US States: California, South Carolina, Washington state, Tennessee, New York and Maryland
• SRDC also works through organizational allies and affiliates in the following non-US countries in the Global Afrikan Diaspora: Nicaragua, Canada, Guadeloupe, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
• SRDC Elders, Representatives, Observers and Facilitators have traveled to Martinique, Europe and Afrika to work toward strengthening the bonds and communication lines between Afrikans in the Diaspora and Afrikans on the Continent

What is the African Union and why is it important to us?

• Successor to the old Organization of African Unity (OAU), whose aim had been to throw off the yoke of colonialism from Afrikan people
• Created in 2001 to pave the way for the creation of a “federalized Afrika”, or a Union of African States
• Represents an opportunity for Afrikans in the Diaspora to re-connect to Afrikans in the Continent for purposes of mutual political, human-rights, social and economic development

What does the AU seek to accomplish by inviting us to join with it?

• Reverse the “Brain Drain” of people leaving the Continent to travel to the US and other places in the Diaspora through the promotion of Pan-Afrikan unity, peace and stability
• Reverse the “Resource Drain” by organizing and unifying Afrikan nations with Afrikans in the Diaspora to protect Afrika’s precious resources (oil, diamonds, gold, coltan, etc.) through increased international awareness, international pressure on global multinational corporations, and the creation of alternative, Pan-Afrikan economic cooperatives designed for the benefit of all Afrikans

What do we have to gain by seeking representation in the AU?

• Seek out and develop opportunities for economic and social cooperative development in and with Afrikan people
• Establish a forum for representation and the airing of Diasporan concerns and grievances against colonial, neocolonial and imperialist powers (e.g., land loss, disaster relief, acts of genocide, denial of due process) on the world stage; presently, neither the colonial powers in the Diaspora nor the United Nations offer a representative seat for Afrikan descendants in the Diaspora on any board, assembly or international forum

What exactly is ECOSOCC, how do we get in, and why start there?

• The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) is the AU’s civil-society committee
• Serves in an advisory capacity to the AU’s Secretariat, Pan-Afrikan Parliament, Heads of State and other councils
• Made up of non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and those who represent their interests
• 150 seats total; 130 for Representatives from Afrika, 20 for Representatives from the Diaspora.  Four (4) of those 20 Diasporan seats are reserved for Representatives from the United States
• Representatives in ECOSOCC are expected to be chosen by the communities they represent
• Membership in ECOSOCC could lead to membership in other councils of the AU in the future

THE PAN-AFRIKAN COMMUNITY TOWN HALL

Why hold a Community Town Hall?

• Inform the community about the African Union Initiative for the Diaspora, in which the African Union (AU) has invited the Afrikan Diaspora to seek representation in the AU
• Facilitate the organization of the Diaspora along democratic lines (e.g., through representative elections) by informing the community and choosing representation from among the people (Council of Elders, Representatives and Observers)
• Develop a Pan-Afrikan Agenda in each local community that will help create a Pan-Afrikan Agenda for the Afrikan Diaspora
• Prepare the Representatives, Observers and Agenda for effective representation at SRDC National, Regional and Diaspora-wide Meetings as well as at the AU Summit
• Pave the way for an effective Pan-Afrikan United Front, under the guidance of the Council of Elders, through the participation of activist organizations in this process

How does the Town Hall process work?

• Facilitators provide information to the community about the AU, the AU Diasporan Initiative, ECOSOCC and the Town Hall process
• Qualifications, requirements and duties of the various positions (Elder, Representative and Observer) are reviewed and discussed
• A Council of Elders for the community is nominated, elected and seated
• Representatives from the local community (in our case, the State) are nominated or announce their candidacy for the post
• Observers are nominated or announce their candidacy for the post
• A Pan-Afrikan Agenda, reflective of the needs and aspirations of the local community, is discussed and formulated
• A date for the Pan-Afrikan Caucus (to finalize the election of Representatives and Observers) is discussed and announced
• Questions from the community are answered

What happens between the Town Hall and the Caucus?

• Nominees and candidates for the positions of Representative and Observer are expected to submit the following for the review of the Council of Elders:
  • biographical information that relates to the Minimum Qualifications
  • a copy of an Acceptance/Declination Letter that officially states that they accept or decline the nomination
  • a brief position paper on the important points of the Pan-Afrikan Agenda and how they propose to promote that Agenda at meetings of SRDC and ECOSOCC
• The Council of Elders reviews the submitted information to determine whether or not the nominees meet the Minimum Qualifications and will be approved to compete as candidates in elections to be held at the Pan-Afrikan Caucus

What happens at the Pan-Afrikan Caucus?

• Candidates for Representative and Observer posts who have been approved for the Caucus elections are announced
• Each candidate states the office being sought (Representative or Observer) and makes an Introductory Statement
• The Council of Elders poses a series of questions to each candidate related to the duties of the position sought
• Questions from the assembled community are collected and asked by the Council of Elders
• Candidates make Closing Statements
• The community is asked to vote for their choice of Representative or Observer
  • In cases where there are only two candidates for Representative, the community may be asked if there is “Afrikan Consensus” (a unanimous approval of the two candidates) to accept them as Representatives.  Likewise, “Afrikan Consensus” may be sought if there are only six or fewer candidates for Observer
• The election results are counted by the Council of Elders
• The election results are announced and the new Representatives and Observers are officially given their charge by the Council of Elders
• The Pan-Afrikan Agenda is discussed, refined and prepared for presentation by the Representatives and Observers to the SRDC National Meeting for consideration

THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZING TEAM

What’s the difference between Elders, Representatives, Observers and Facilitators?

• The Council of Elders: based on the traditional and ancient Afrikan model, a group of members of the community who have earned respect, admiration and authority for their wisdom and commitment.  In general, Elders are of a minimum age (40, 50 or 60 depending on the standards and needs of the community).  Their tasks as Elders are the following:
  • Preside over the Caucus election process
  • Review the qualifications of those who would be Representatives and Observers
  • Maintain communication with the Representatives and Observers to ensure their duties are being carried out in an effective, respectful and ethical manner
  • Call Representatives and Observers to meetings for the purposes of reporting progress, discussing important issues or explaining behavior that is considered counterproductive by the Council of Elders
  • Administer impeachment procedures for Representatives and Observers in cases of misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance
  • Supervise the process of elevating an Observer to the status of a Representative in cases where the Representative has resigned or been stripped of office through impeachment
  • Arbitrate and settle disputes between Facilitators, Representatives, Observers and members of the community as they arise
  • When possible, attend Regional (Western Hemisphere) and Diaspora-wide meetings of Elders, Facilitators, Representatives and Observers (often held in South Africa) to exchange information and experiences, to strengthen global Diasporan unity and to help solidify the Diasporan Pan-Afrikan Agenda
• Representatives: elected for two-year terms, up to a limit of two consecutive two-year terms.  Their tasks as Representatives are the following:
  • Attend SRDC National Meetings to present the community’s Pan-Afrikan Agenda
  • Discuss points in the Agenda with the other Representatives, Observers and Facilitators at open meetings
  • Vote on aspects of the various community Agendas to be included in the national Pan-Afrikan Agenda
  • Vote on the Representatives of SRDC who will be chosen to attend that year’s AU Summit as representatives from the US in ECOSOCC
  • When possible, attend Regional (Western Hemisphere) and Diaspora-wide meetings of Elders, Facilitators, Representatives and Observers (often held in South Africa) to exchange information and experiences, to strengthen global Diasporan unity and to help solidify the Diasporan Pan-Afrikan Agenda
• Observers: elected for two-year terms, up to a limit of two consecutive two-year terms.  Their tasks as Observers are the following:
  • Attend SRDC National Meetings to advise and assist their community Representatives in presenting the community’s Pan-Afrikan Agenda
  • Discuss points in the Agenda with the other Representatives, Observers and Facilitators at open meetings
  • In cases where the Representative has either resigned or been stripped of office due to impeachment, assume the duties of the Representative as listed above
  • When possible, attend Regional (Western Hemisphere) and Diaspora-wide meetings of Elders, Facilitators, Representatives and Observers (often held in South Africa) to exchange information and experiences, to strengthen global Diasporan unity and to help solidify the Diasporan Pan-Afrikan Agenda
• Facilitators: members of the SRDC Secretariat, who have assisted in organizing the Town Hall, Caucus and national processes, and have taken on the responsibility, usually on a volunteer basis, for promoting the SRDC process within their local communities or on a national level.  These individuals do not possess voting power as Facilitators, though they can simultaneously serve as Elders, Representatives or Observers in case of an emergency.  Their duties are as follows:
  • Participate in the promotion of the AU Initiative, the SRDC process and the Pan-Afrikan Town Hall to the local community and, when possible, to communities in neighboring States
  • Participate in the coordination, promotion and implementation of the Pan-Afrikan Community Town Hall and Caucus
  • Attend SRDC National Meetings to assist their community Representatives in presenting the community’s Pan-Afrikan Agenda
  • Discuss points in the Agenda with the other Representatives, Observers and Facilitators
  • Assist the Council of Elders in the implementation of impeachment proceedings and subsequent replacement of Representatives and Observers as needed
  • When possible, attend Regional (Western Hemisphere) and Diaspora-wide meetings of Elders, Facilitators, Representatives and Observers (often held in South Africa) to exchange information and experiences, to strengthen global Diasporan unity and to help solidify the Diasporan Pan-Afrikan Agenda

Why can’t we simply ask Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson or former President Barack Obama to go represent us?

• Among the AU’s stated requirements are that Representatives and Observers must:
  • (a) have a track record of commitment to Pan-Afrikan activism (which would eliminate many entertainers, businesspeople and other celebrities);
  • (b) not be a political representative of any sovereign state (which would eliminate politicians or those connected to American politics);
  • (c) be elected by the people, i.e. not appointed, anointed or self-selected
• In the vast majority of cases, celebrities will not have the time or the track record of commitment to Diasporan Afrikan causes (as opposed to business or pro-US causes) to participate.
• National celebrities will not be effective representatives of the local communities in which they do not live; hence, their participation (except in cases where they are elected by their local communities) cannot be representative of those communities.
• If we are to take our responsibility to represent the voice of the people seriously, we must not surrender to the impulse to achieve this in “the easy way”.  Those who desire to speak for the community must earn that right by being elected by the people, and not by achieving a level of celebrity that might allow them to usurp such a position because of their fame alone.  If we are to represent the grassroots, we must ensure that we do what we do with the approval and permission of the communities we seek to represent.

Once we have elected our Elders, Representatives and Observers, what then?

• The elected Elders, Representatives, Observers and Facilitators are expected to meet at regular intervals to discuss ways in which the community’s Pan-Afrikan Agenda can best be presented and promoted at the SRDC national meetings, as well as new developments and information that may influence that Agenda
• The elected Representatives, Observers and Facilitators are expected to maintain regular contact with the Council of Elders to report on progress in the promotion of the Agenda at the national level as well as ideas to deal with new developments or opportunities to implement the Agenda locally
• As representatives of the local Pan-Afrikan community, the elected Elders, Representatives, Observers and Facilitators are expected to maintain communication with that community, through press releases, newsletters, use of local media and the holding of community meetings for the purposes of keeping the local community informed about and involved with the ongoing process of actualizing Pan-Afrikanism as well as the building of a Pan-Afrikan United Front among local community-based organizations and activists
• The elected Elders, Representatives, Observers and Facilitators are expected to meet with other Elders, Representatives, Observers and Facilitators at the SRDC National Meetings to participate in crafting the national Pan-Afrikan Agenda as well as to determine, through Afrikan Consensus or the vote, which of the Representatives will be the four (4) to take the US seats at ECOSOCC at that year’s AU Summit

• When possible, the elected Elders, Representatives, Observers and Facilitators are expected to attend Regional (Western Hemisphere) and Diaspora-wide meetings of Elders, Facilitators, Representatives and Observers (often held in South Africa) to exchange information and experiences, to strengthen global Diasporan unity and to help solidify the Diasporan Pan-Afrikan Agenda
• While the exact number of Representatives from the United States has not been officially decided, the estimate is that three or four of the Representatives will be expected to attend the ECOSOCC meetings at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, along with contingents from the Caribbean, Central America, Canada, South America and Europe to represent the Pan-Afrikan Diaspora and discuss how ECOSOCC can most effectively present and implement the global Diasporan Pan-Afrikan Agenda to the AU.  Observers, Facilitators and Elders are free to attend as well, but only the three or four Representatives chosen from the US, and the 16 to 17 Representatives from other countries in the Diaspora, will be able to officially vote at the ECOSOCC meetings.

THE ROAD TO THE AFRICAN UNION IS STILL BEING PAVED

What if the AU, in the end, refuses to grant the Diaspora any status at ECOSOCC?

• The AU has not yet officially named the Diaspora as the Sixth Region, though AU officials regularly refer to us as such in meetings with Afrikan Diasporans.  As of this writing, the document that was designed to make this official, Article 3(q) of the African Union Constitutive Act, has yet to be ratified.  Several AU member States have expressed strong support for us (most notably Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Libya), but others are skeptical while still others are undecided (Egypt, for example).  There are a number of Afrikan Diasporans, including a considerable number who emigrated from Afrika to the US and Europe, who are skeptical as well.  While a decision not to include the Diaspora would be counterproductive and thus is considered unlikely, there is the possibility that the AU could finally refuse membership to the Diaspora
• Even if the Diaspora were not granted membership in the AU, we will have achieved a great victory by making it to that point.  Look at what we must accomplish along the way to claiming seats at ECOSOCC:
  • Bringing the community together at local Town Hall meetings (local and statewide Pan-Afrikan organization and unity);
  • Establishing functioning representation for the local and statewide communities at SRDC National Meetings (communication and Pan-Afrikan organization between Afrikan people in the various States, leading to national Pan-Afrikan organization and unity);
  • Making contact between SRDC-US and organized communities in other parts of the Diaspora, including international Pan-Afrikan organizations such as the Pan African Federalist Movement (PAFM) and UNIA-ACL (global Diasporan unity of Pan-Afrikan communities);
  • Repeated contact with community activists in Afrika through regular trips there for the establishment of Diaspora-wide unity and preparation for entry into ECOSOCC (the beginnings of global Pan-Afrikan unity between the Diaspora and Afrikans in the Continent)
• We will have laid the foundation for a glorious resurgence of global Pan-Afrikanism.
• If we put in the serious work of organizing our communities to achieve this great goal, how can the AU refuse us?  And even if they do, they cannot stop us from continuing to do as we have been doing, which is to organize and unify the Afrikan Diaspora into an international force to better the conditions for Afrikans in the Diaspora and in the Continent as well.
• But it all must begin here, at the local level, where we lay the groundwork.

THE CALL TO GLOBAL PAN-AFRIKANISM

Where is the historical justification for us to become involved in this effort at global Pan-Afrikanism?

• Ancestor Malcolm X/El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz/Omowale: We must stop taking our grievances to “Uncle Sam’s Court”.  It is like “taking our case from the wolf to the fox”.
• Ancestor Marcus Mosiah Garvey: “The thing to do is to get organized.  Keep divided and you will be hunted, you will be robbed, you will be killed.  Organize and you force the world to respect you.”
• Ancestor Frederick Douglass: “The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.  This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. In the light of these ideas, Negroes will be hunted at the North, and held and flogged at the South so long as they submit to those devilish outrages, and make no resistance, either moral or physical. Men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must certainly pay for all they get. If we ever get free from the oppressions and wrongs heaped upon us, we must pay for their removal. We must do this by labor, by suffering, by sacrifice, and if needs be, by our lives and the lives of others.”
• Ancestor Dr. John Henrik Clarke: “Pan Africanism or Perish!”