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African Diaspora's potential untapped

[ Posted On: 2007-11-13 ]

Affinity between Africa and its Diaspora has been experienced through blood ties (real and imagined), culture, shared history and a perceived common destiny in a world of racial adversity.

The preoccupation during the era of enslavement, was individualised quest for survival, personal freedom and dignified existence. This was followed by Global Africa's overt defiance during the era of anti-colonialism and the American struggle for civil rights.

Two of the greatest confrontations of the 20th Century were Africa's push against colonialism and the American civil rights struggle.

The leadership of the civil rights movement in America, was convinced theirs was a worldwide initiative. To them, freedom was indivisible; one could not fight for racial freedom in America and not challenge racism in Africa or Vietnam.

Against this background, African-Americans supported Africa's quest to end colonialism to the hilt. In turn, Africa's attainment of freedom in the 1960s triggered African-Americans to demand their civil rights all the more. And the newly independent African states put enormous pressure on the US Government to address what was then known as the ‘Negro problem'.

From then, American abuse of its own Black citizens was no longer a domestic issue, it became a global disgrace. Hence, Martin Luther King's credit to the African states for the passing of the American Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is easy to forget that the struggle against apartheid was waged on many fronts, inside South Africa, continentally and around the world. On the external front, it is widely acknowledged that the decisive battle against apartheid was the passage of the US Congressional Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. In this context, considerable credit must go to the African-Americans, for it was they who were responsible for its passage.

Today, our agenda is broader than politics of protest and the constituency, it includes the neo-Diasporans. The push is even greater for consolidated and institutionalised co-operation. Until now, that quest for mutual support in Global Africa has emanated from the Diaspora, mainly the US and the Caribbean.

The distinctive feature of the current call for co-operation is that it has arisen mainly from Africa, with the support of African Governments individually and collectively via the African Union.

The AU has identified the African Diaspora as a critical partner in advancing the continent's renewal. Africa's practical engagement with the Diaspora varies from one state to another, but all are committed to reach a common objective. The level of commitment is a matter of degree.

Ghana provides incentives for actual return of Diasporans to Africa. Diasporans here, are provided special consideration for dual citizenship, allocated land and welcomed to engage in various development initiatives.

Senegal has created a Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. Nigeria has a Special Assistant to the President on the African Diaspora and contemporary Eritrea is deeply indebted to its Diaspora. Against this momentum, it has been suggested that each African state should have a Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.

All considered, the African Diaspora has become an irresistible force in shaping the destiny of our continent.

In the past, we have emphasised the individual benefits that Africa can obtain from individuals in the Diaspora in the form of remittances and investments.

What have systematically overlooked in Pan-African thought are the benefits that Africa can derive from the larger Global Diaspora.

This could include such benefits as technological know-how, skills in information technology, the sciences, medical and dental sciences, trade and even sports.

It is true that this 'benign neglect' is now changing since the birth of the AU. In the early 1960s, an American, Malcolm X, was requesting the OAU to extend a helping hand to the African-Americans who, in his view, lived in a country that had rejected them. In the 21st Century, it is the Africans who are extending a welcoming hand to the Diasporans.

Despite these positive developments, ties with the Diaspora are still embryonic.

It remains a fact that the full import of the African Diaspora for Africa remains grossly unexplored; it is a mine that calls for extraction for the benefit of both parties.

Article Source: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard

About The Author: James N. Kariuki - is head of the African Diaspora Unit at the Africa Institute of South Africa in Pretoria.

| View Profile & All Articles By: James N. Kariuki |

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