“We need bigger Markets. Some of our countries are too small and too weak. Africa is a big continent full of raw materials. But this big continent is divided by 165 borders into 53 countries. Even the voice of a larger country like Nigeria or South Africa by itself is inaudible in international negotiations on world trade or climate change. But collectively it’s impossible to ignore 53 countries with almost one billion inhabitants.”
- H.E. Jean Ping, Chairperson, African Union Commission
Newsweek; December 1, 2008
From 2-5 March 2009, I was honored and fortunate enough to participate, at the invitation of the African Union Commission, in the First Congress of African Economists in Nairobi, Kenya. With over 200 economists, researchers, government officials and monetary policy makers, from Africa and her Diaspora, I presented, learned from and debated others, and took part in planning and charting the course by which the most monumental economic effort in recent memory could take place – 53 countries in Africa, uniting to establish a common currency.
Our interaction took place, virtually for 24 hours a day – from the Kenyatta International Centre in intense official sessions to the Sarova Stanley and Hilton hotels where we stayed in relaxation over cups of coffee and dinner; and on the streets of Nairobi where spirited debate took place in the context and backdrop of the culture and everyday realities of African people.
As the only Black American in attendance, my participation I now gather in hindsight, was greeted with great curiosity, some intrigue and perhaps a bit of skepticism. After all, this was a conference about how Africa could move forward toward a single currency, and with the image of Black Americans (and America) what it is on the continent, one could reasonably expect that my presence would be seen as paradoxical (young Black men from America are identified much more in Africa with the rap music ‘beefs’ than international finance) or a paternalistic exercise (Africa, here is what you need to do!) as much as a homecoming of one of the sons of daughters of Africa (despite the naïve or romantic view of some in the Diaspora who insist Blacks call themselves ‘African,’ while in America, oblivious to the fact that a great many Africans see them only as dark-skinned ‘Americans.’)
On the first day of the Congress I was able to move beyond conjecture, stereotypes and intrigue with the presentation of my proposal for a single currency, backed by the most monetary of all commodities – gold. The presentation was very positively received (including a wonderful question and answer session), especially an aspect of it that recommends that Africa utilize three regional monetary unions: 1) Western-Central 2) Eastern-Southern and Northern rather than the current five region approach. In addition, to the best of my recollection my argument was also unique in its outline of a Parallel Currency plan that would bring Africa her single currency within 7 years, by 2015.
Most proposals presented in Kenya lacked this specificity in terms of a timeline (currently the Association Of African Central Bankers plan a single currency by 2021.)
Similarly I learned much from the presentations of others (insights on the nature of the Maghreb Union; the views and excitement of the poor on a single currency; the tensions between Francophone and English-speaking African nations) which informed my approach, refined my presentation, and improved my thinking on the realities of economic integration.
To understand how we arrived at this conference in 2009, and how it is possible that I, as a Member of the African Diaspora, would be in attendance in an advisory capacity, a bit of history is important.
A single currency, although most frequently recognized as becoming a priority as a result of the 1991 Abuja Treaty, was actually implied in the birth of the Organization of African Unity in 1964 (see founding Members at: http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/AboutAU/FOUNDERS/oau_Founders.htm) as well as important statements from two African leaders which I reference in my proposal “As Good As Gold: A Single African Currency.”
From Julius Kabarage Nyere, the first President of Tanzania, we reflect over his insight: “We are neither poor, nor are we kept poor, because we are black. We remain poor because of the world trading and monetary systems – and these, whatever their other disadvantages, are color-blind.”
And Ghana’s President, Kwame Nkrumah, provided this directive, “Ghana inherited a colonial economy…We cannot rest until we have demolished this miserable structure and raised in its place an edifice of economic stability, thus creating for ourselves a veritable paradise of abundance and satisfaction.”
Today we are poised to fulfill these additional words of Kwame Nkrumah, spoken some 50 years ago, “This decade is the decade of African Independence. Forward then, to independence now. Tomorrow, the United States of Africa!”
My view (expressed at BlackElectorate.com since 2000), and that which has guided my engagement with the African Union’s efforts is that until Africa develops a trading and monetary system of its own – the ‘edifice of economic system,’ that Nkrumah referred to – it will not be able to unwind the colonial economy. I went into depth on this point with my fellow Delegates in Nairobi – presenting evidence of how newly politically independent African nations were negatively affected by the break down of the Bretton Woods monetary system.
And why should the Diaspora play a role in the shaping of a United States of Africa and resolving these high economic questions? Because as many Africans admit – including Libyan leader Muammar Khadafi – it is from the Diaspora that much of the impetus and thinking regarding a united Africa’s place in the world has come.
My participation in the Congress in Nairobi did not take place in a vacuum.
It was representative of the debate and synthesis in Black America which has taken place between what has been described as Maulana Karenga’s (the founder of the celebration Kwanzaa) cultural nationalist ideology which sees Africa as a fountain of customs, symbols and a communal way of life; Stokley Carmichael (Kwame Toure)’s view of Pan-Africanism which saw Africa as a practical and ideological beachhead, even homeland, from which Black America could be liberated; the Black Panther Party’s insistence that Africa’s importance rest in its connection to a larger international political class struggle.
Since 1999, it has been the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation Of Islam, and its publication, The Final Call, that has been foremost in supporting and informing the Black American Diaspora of the progress of the African Union’s efforts.
All of these factors were in my mind as I interacted with a most beautiful, brilliant, and passionate Group – with a passion for their ideas and perspectives, matched by a strong dose of realism regarding Africa’s problems, including a dependency on (and undue and wicked influence from) former colonial powers and seemingly intractable corruption at governmental levels.
The First Congress of African Economists was a sober event, not an extreme exercise in romanticized Afro-Optimism and Afro-Pessimism.
And it is for that reason, that despite its flaws, there is no better body to serve as a vehicle for a United Africa than the African Union. Its critics may excel at pointing out its imperfections, but all of them fall short of offering a viable alternative to the AU, to accomplish the task at hand.
I was honored when asked by the AU Department of Economic Affairs to serve as part of the official Bureau of The First Congress of African Economists for a full year. I was appointed to serve in the capacity of Rapporteur for the Diaspora and United States. Some of my responsibilities will be to popularize this effort among civil society and the media; recruit the involvement of economic theoreticians and practitioners from the Diaspora; and shape the next Conference and Congress in 2010.
Over the next year, the Congress will engage and inform the public, and advise African policy makers - heads of state, government officials and central bank governors.
Our first such effort will be sharing our views regarding the upcoming April 2nd G-20 Summit in England with the newly formed Committee Of 10 – a group of African finance ministers and central bank governors from the continent’s five major regions.
We will also be engaging the Association Of African Central Banks on the criteria they are establishing for convergence toward a common currency.
From this past week I take some wonderful, very beautiful and touching memories – all of which revolve around real people: the wit and candid humor of Dr. Christopher Mlosy from South Africa, which always seemed to keep us on track when veering; the insistence of Olivia Muza of Zimbabwe that we not leave the views of real people out of our deliberation; the warmth of Dr. Sule Magaji and Dr. Adamu Awwal of the University of Abuja who not only enlightened me on Nigeria but also let me know that one African garment I wore was ‘official”; the idea that Dr. Johnson P. Asiama and I discussed for a series of concerts in America, the Caribbean and Africa to popularize our efforts; the running dialogue I have established with Mr. Aram Belhadj of Laboratoire d’Economie d’Orlean, France, as to whether or not Egypt should join the Maghreb Union; and who could forget not only the brilliant contributions of C.A Yoonus, but also his unique dance moves displayed at Carnivore Restaurant (a top flight venue where I passed on the opportunity to eat ostrich, crocodile, and zebra).
Then there was my interaction with the wonderful staff at the Stanley who took such good care of me and who I honor: Joanne, Virginia, Frigustus, Jackline, and Vera just to name a few; my touching day with 21-year old Amos Oriku who explained Kenyan politics and music, to me, while reciting speeches he has memorized of President Barack Obama; and my wonderful final evening of political and cultural conversation over cranberry and ginger ale with the lovely and brilliant Ms. Irene Alenga of Tanzania and the Economic and Social Research Foundation. Ironically she and I somehow managed to not interact at all during the three-day conference.
To the people of Kenya who I met on the streets and who asked me to deliver personal messages to President Barack Obama – I will do my best, but above all, you have my commitment to do my best to serve the effort to unite Africa, and properly re-connect it with its Diaspora in a most meaningful way.
We have much work to do.
great story and it should work without the help of euro and usa. gold and the dollar, sound good.
This is a wonderful step into prosperity for Africa and as I have stated before, we as a people will not have true prosperity until Africa does.
I agree with this comment[From Julius Kabarage Nyere, the first President of Tanzania, we reflect over his insight: “We are neither poor, nor are we kept poor, because we are black. We remain poor because of the world trading and monetary systems – and these, whatever their other disadvantages, are color-blind.”]
This is the truth and all of us in the world know it. In Africa’s ancient past, the continent flourished because of trade and after that trading became the slavery that decimated the continent. Africa is ignored by the West and how do you survive in a world that excludes you? It has nothing to do with poverty it’s only economical racism in it’s most obvious form.
Africa has the worlds largest natural resources, it’s people and those in the West have done everything in their power to dehumanize them in order to ignore them and further exploit and pillage the continent. Africa is the worlds largest ATM, the greedy take out the wealth and leave.
China is now Africa’s newest trading partner and the only thing the USA has an interest in are the weaponry and will their influence dethrone the USA’s super power status. Just how far China plans to invest in Africa remains to be seen. They also have the influence from our insatiable appetite for “stuff “ that has now made them a very wealthy nation. They could care less about what happens to the people.
Africa is also becoming the worlds dumping ground from the EU countries and also a dumping ground for their tainted food products. Almost in the same ways the black community has had to deal with enviromental racism.
What can be done for Africa to survive? Can the brain drain which has left for the EU and America return to improve the continent? That trade buildup that the USA and other countries are grappling with would not be happening if those in the west would include Africa as equal trade partners in the global village.
Poverty would be eradicated if the wealthy in all of their avarice would include the entire world in trade. This would create industry, which would create jobs and people will have a much better quality of life. By keeping those out that they deem as undesirable and inferior to them, keeps them in control of the worlds wealth. Right now they are reaping everything they have sowed and all of us marginalized people are now watching it all in amazement.
Thanks for sharing your experience my brother. Needless to say I look forward to supporting your efforts in the diaspora regarding this Pan African project.
Dear Brother Cedric -
Thank you for your insightful, informative and universally applicable description of the work we must all engage in. Congratulations on your appointment! Now that you have officially joined the diplomatic corps, perhaps I can practice my French with you! (smile)
May Allah continue to bless you in this most important assignment,
Sister Rabiah
As Salaam Alaikum,
Good work brother! Reading your notes I could almost hear the dialogue, see the sights, and hear the sounds of the Congress. I will follow you on your journey and do whatever I can to help inform as many of our people in Memphis, TN and the Tri-State area about the work/mission you’ve undertaken. May Allah bless, protect, and grant you His success as Rapporteur for the Congress. Has the Final Call been contacted?
Peace.
asa bro cedric, congradulations,sounds like this was an experience of a life time, i can’t wait
to hear more , an possibly see some of your pictures.
may Allah continue to bless you.
bro sifu shaheed
Cedric,
We, at bantheNword.org and educate-empower.com are so proud of you. Thank you for the update and we look forward to being a part of this very important mission. Thank you.
Hi Cedric hope youre good brother. This is the security officer from KICC and wish to let you know that it was nice mmeting you and wish you a great time and hope we’ll keep in touch
Dear Cedric,
it was really an honor. I was also impressed by the fruitful discussions during this sober congress.I’m grateful to you and to all those who contributed to the excellence discussions that took place over the four days. As you said, we have much work to do. Our efforts have to make the Vision for the First Congress for African Economists a reality. However, as regards your proposal and to be more realistic, i think that the current five region approach may work better than the three one…
I am so pleased to read your report on your experience at the conference in Kenya. As an African American who has been a student of African history for over 30 years; traveled extensively in Africa; and worked on behalf of Africa/Africans, I am proud that the AU has invited a young man such as yourself to participate.
Currently, I am part of a project linking Dar es Salaam and Lansing, MI (Friendship City) relationship. Our goal is to be a catalyst and provide that linkage between our relatives in Africa and the Diaspora.
Why should we in the Diaspora be included in the plans for Africa? Because, we are the ones who have been pushing the agenda in this country and elsewhere; we have always taken up the causes for Africa; have worked side by side with our African counterparts; and because we are Africans by blood and genes, who were stolen away.
Congratulations on your accomplishment; I’m glad the AU selected you and I am sure that you represented. Keep up the good work!
Asante Sana
Belinda Sheppard
Lansing, MI - Dar es Salaam Tanzania
Friendship City International Partnership
Bro. Muhammad,
I have been a blackelectorate.com viewer since 2001. I dug your piece on the need to develop the “Africana,” a single currency for the African continent. I was first drawn to the site based on the your emphasis on Politics, Culture and Economics, as these have been my analytical guideposts ever since I first read The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual (Harold Cruse) shortly after graduating from college in 1990.
I am writing to offer you assistance in your role as Rapporteur for the Diaspora and United States. I am a corporate banker currently playing the role of the “spook who sat by the door” in Corporate America. As a long time “economic practitioner” in Corporate America I have skills that could aid you in your task. Fortunately, I have been blessed to become a manifestation of study and not just a manifestation of money (to paraphrase KRS One). To that end, I am volunteering my service (professional, organizational, physical, monetary, you name it) to the Bureau of The First Congress of African Economists. Please call on me any time.
Peace.
Anthony Forbers
Detroit, Michigan
May Allah bless you Brother Cedric for all that you do. From a small town in south Georgia I feel connected to a process that will impact the entire world for a long time. You represent us well.
Hello,
Mr. Muhammad…thank you for sharing your notes on the Congress of African economists. One thing how do you feel about the unionizing of the world? i.e. the European Union? Rumblings of a so called North American Union etc? I definitely do not disagree with your ideas and as a pan-africanist I understand and support your work but to add on…how do feel about the grabble of the IMF/World Bank on the African continent? One last thing, will blackelectorate be doing the economic and community summitt/conference in D.C. again this year? Once again Thank you.
ASA
Bro Cedric, I am so proud to have you representing the Black Nation at such an important meeting such as this. The Honorable Elijah mentioned that we would be the way that Africa would come out of the darkness into the light (im paraphrasing of course) and although you went on the strength of the Black electorate, Im claiming your attendance as a victory for the N.O.I. as well. I will make your blog known to the members of the Ministry of International affairs and maybe we can set up a phone conference with you to speak to us. Keep up the good work and let us now what we should be doing to help. I for one am tired of all the meetings nad not enough of the doing. At least you are doing.
Salaam Alaikum to you Brother,
I am so overjoyed at your assignment, many, many congrats! How can I help you in your endevour, also please brother allow me to complete the BEEC, I know I missed the first part but I can assure you by the grace of GOD that I will be one of your best students; Inshallah! Please direct me in the right direction. I thank you and look forward to your response,
With deep admiration and Respect,
In La’Kech (I am another you)
Waverly Jones
As-Salaam Alaikum!
Dear Bro. Cedric,
I am happy to see Allah Bless you with this assignment. Your insights are on-point. It is true, we do have much work to do. Keep up the great work! May be we can work together one day, Allah Willing. One thing I humbly suggest in the creation of a unified currency backed by gold is that each nation must gain ownership and control of the central banks first to be effective. The central banks have control of the nervous system of those nations’ economies. Most central banks are still owned by the former colonial powers. I believe you will be Blessed to help relieve Africa of its economic suffering once and for all. May Allah continue to Bless you, Brother.
I have been studying much about Monetary Policy lately and find this a compelling study. Thank you for this article and update. I will keep in touch. Continue. Peace.
Hello Bro. Cedric.,
It was indeed a wonderful time we had in Nairobi. I am absolutely sure we will make a huge impact on Africa’s integration efforts.