Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire, delivered a major address at the US Imperialism & Africa Conference on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 in Detroit. The event was sponsored by MECAWI. (Photo: Cheryl LaBash)., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) the Forerunner of the African Union (AU)
Initiator: Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice (MECAWI)
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2013
Location: Detroit, Michigan (USA)
May 25, 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the continental organization formed by all of the heads of state to accelerate the liberation from colonialism and the political, economic and social unification of Africa. The OAU was formed by 33 independent states including some of the leading figures in the Pan-African struggle such as Presidents Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Modibo Kieta, Julius Nyerere, Gamal Abdel Nassar, H.I.M Haile Selassie, among others.
After five decades of the OAU and its successor, the African Union, formed in 2002, it is necessary for a thorough assessment of the progress and challenges facing Africa and the Diaspora in light of the escalating imperialist militarism being carried out by the United States, France, Britain and other NATO countries. Today in 2013, African states are being invaded once again by troops from the Pentagon, various NATO forces, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives and other intelligence organizations from throughout North America and Europe as well as transnational corporations and banks determined to maintain western hegemony over the continent, its people and resources.
Five years ago in 2008, the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice (MECAWI) held a similar conference in the wake of the formation of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). In 2008 we predicted that the formation of this Pentagon command specifically geared toward Africa would prove disastrous for the continent. Unfortunately what we anticipated has been proven correct.
AFRICOM coordinated the overthrow of the government in Libya under the martyred Col. Muammar Gaddafi, a longtime leader of his country who served as a co-founder of the AU and its chairman in 2009-2010. Although the headquarters of AFRICOM remains in Stuttgart, Germany, the U.S. has established a military base in Djibouti along with drone and CIA stations in Somalia, Niger and other countries across the continent.
The current war in Mali, although said to be waged by France for humanitarian reasons, is merely designed to penetrate the continent and exploit its oil, uranium and gold. Africa is playing a greater role in supplying oil, platinum, natural gas and other strategic resources to the western industrialized capitalist states.
Therefore we believe that a renewed anti-imperialist campaign aimed at enhancing solidarity with Africa and its people is necessary during this period. This conference will take up some of the most important aspects of the struggle for the total liberation and unification of the continent and the Diaspora.
Some of the issues that will be thoroughly discussed at the Africa & U.S. Imperialism Conference will include:
--Historical review of the OAU and the AU from 1963-2013
--The role of AFRICOM, the CIA, NATO and other intelligence and military groups
--African Decade of Women (2010-2020): the need for full gender equality and empowerment
--Youth and development in Africa and the Diaspora
---The impact of the global economic crisis on Africa and the Diaspora
--Africa and the global class struggle against imperialism
--Africa in solidarity with Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and all struggling peoples
--China’s role in Africa and its implications for the worldwide struggle against imperialism
This conference will seek the support and participation of all genuine anti-imperialist, left, Pan-African, social justice, women, anti-war, peace, environmental, community and social justice organizations. The Conference will be self-financed and organized.
If you or your organization is interested in contributing to this cause please contact us as soon as possible. The Conference will draft a program of action and publish many of the papers and talks presented during the proceedings.
For more information on the Africa & U.S. Imperialism Conference contact us at the addresses below:
MECAWI
c/o Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor of the Pan-African News Wire
5920 Second Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
313-671-3715
http://mecawi.org
http://panafricannews.blogspot.com
panafnewswire@yahoo.com
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