The NAACP Strengthening its Relationship with Africa and African Diaspora

Adopted as Amended

WHEREAS, many African nations, including Ghana, Chad, Benin, Nigeria, Cote D'Ivoire, Madagascar, the Central African Republic, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Togo, Democratic Republic of The Congo, Somalia, Republic of The Congo, Gabon and Cameroon are celebrating 50 years of independence this year; and 

WHEREAS, Africa has divided itself into five geographic regions and now, generally recognizes the African Diaspora as the sixth region of Africa; and 

WHEREAS, prior to independence, these nations, as well as the other countries of the African continent, were subject to the ravages of European colonialism and the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade; and 

WHEREAS, as a result of the centuries of colonialism and human trafficking that the continent endured, Africa was subjected to wealth stripping in terms of natural resources and human capital; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP has, since its inception, historically been involved in Africa, opposing both colonialism and neo-colonialism and supporting W.E.B. Dubois' vision of Pan-Africanism; and 

WHEREAS, in part to celebrate the ties and historic relationship between the countries of Africa and the NAACP, a plenary session was held at the 100th Annual convention in 2009 that featured speeches by the Ambassadors of Benin, Haiti, and Liberia, as well as a special address to the delegates by The President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal; and 

WHEREAS, as part of its independence commemoration, the nation of Senegal unveiled the African Renaissance Monument amidst a celebration of the African Diaspora, African unity and the promise of a bright future for all of those living on the African continent as well as people of African ancestry throughout the world; and 

WHEREAS, as part of the historic celebration, the President of Senegal brought a delegation of NAACP representatives to Dakar, Senegal, to participate in the unveiling ceremony and accompanying colloquium, celebration of the arts and galas; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP delegation was led by Chairman Roslyn Brock and President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous and consisted of NAACP representatives from across the nation; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP delegation, in acknowledgement of Senegal, was able to see, firsthand, the role of the NAACP in the liberation movement against colonization, they were honored to participate in much of the celebration of Africa as well as the conferences which discussed Africa's growth, rich traditions, history and potential for the future; and 

WHEREAS, as a result of the trip to Senegal, the NAACP delegation returned to the United States with a renewed sense of and appreciation for the African roots from which so many of us are descended, as well as the boundless potential of the African continent. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP take a more vigorous role in the development of the African Renaissance by aggressively engaging US policy makers and enhancing the connection of Africans throughout the Diaspora; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP work on principles of African- driven development, supporting African institutions such as the African Union, the New Partnership for African Development, the Economic Community of West African States, et.al.; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP support improving the effectiveness of US military civilian society projects by integrating them under the civilian oversight of USAID; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP work to ensure that Africa benefits from broader US initiatives such as the science effort with Islamic nations, where at present predominantly Muslim countries in Africa (such as Senegal) are not included; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the entire NAACP offers its sincere thanks and appreciation to the President of Senegal, His Excellency, Abdoulaye Wade, for his friendship as well as all of his efforts and those of his representatives to bring the NAACP delegation to Senegal; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP pledges to continue to support the efforts of all African nations, and Africans throughout the Diaspora to peacefully promote human rights and growth for the tourism and trade opportunities to include excursions endorsed by the NAACP to Accra, Ghana; to visit the DuBois Center and Cape Coast Castle slave port with the United States while preserving its natural beauty, resources, sovereignty and rich heritage.