AU Urged Diaspora Leaders to Push for a United Africa

Addis Ababa - 'The track record of WADU is clear and unambiguous. It is a true African movement driven by an impetus to achieve African emancipation. The African Union Commission is proud to be working with WADU in the service of the African motherland' declared Dr. Jinmi Adisa. Dr. Adisa is the Director, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) and was thanking 'WADU for responding to the clarion call by Dr. Zuma' to be 'a distinct partner in the drive for African integration on the road towards a United Africa.' The address was made at the WADU Symposium at Addis Ababa University (AAU) on May 24, 2013 and was also dedicated to the late Ambassador Baba Dudley Thompson.

Also during the Ethiopia forum, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, the President of WADU and noted African activist-scholar stressed that "There is a struggle for the African mind. People are fighting to gain the minds of Africans so they can control Africa's wealth. Everyone knows the importance of Africa except Africans' he asserted. The forum was chaired by Professor Abiyi Ford, a consultant at the AAU whose father wrote the Universal Ethiopian Anthem and facilitated by Nana Farika Berhane, Vice President of WADU. Other key speakers included Dr. Ashay Taylor, Rabbi Kohain Halevi, and Dr. Abena N. Lozono-Jackson.

The WADU forum was one of many events in Ethiopia commemorating the 50th anniversary of the political liberation of Africa. The AU May 19-27, 2013 tributes and Summit ended with the AU Chairperson Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn declaring the celebrations a resounding success. A significant outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Declaration of the OAU/AU 50th anniversary in which the leaders committed themselves to achieve the AU goals of an integrated and prosperous Africa. The summit also adopted a strategic plan of the African Union Commission (AUC) from 2014 through 2017. The AU is also seeking alternative sources of funding to ensure Africa takes ownership of its agenda.

Some other key decisions the African is their confirmation for the commitment to to Africa's political, social and economic integration agenda. Further, the AU is pushing for the speedy implementation of the continental free, free movement of people and goods, and integrating local and regional markets. The AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma urged member states to advance in similar ways as the OAU founders in fighting for the total liberation of all Africans. 'The pan-African commitment to independence and self-reliance remains important today as we seek to integrate, to expand and to modernise our infrastructure, to industrialise, to develop our human capital and agriculture,' she said. Finally, the African Diaspora is urged to continue implementing the Diaspora Legacy Projects foc using on entrepreneurship, development funding, remittance, volunteerism, and the African market.

As a result of the OAU/AU Africa Year Summit in Ethiopia, WADU will continue forging its Pan African agenda to strengthen the African Diaspora with Africa. WADU is urging the African Diaspora to help advance the WADU Pan African economic agenda during African Liberation Year and participate in the annual WADU Pan African Movement 113th anniversary forums on July 20, 2013 across the Diaspora. For more information on the WADU and to participate in WADU leadership across the Diaspora, please contact Baba John Watusi Branch at 718-523-3312 or WADUPAM.ORG.