December 16, 1985

Senegal To Explore Joint African- American Economic Commission

The President of Senegal, Abdou Diouf, has agreed to further explore establishing a joint commission "to promote trade and economic development between African- Americans and the Government of Senegal". President Diouf also agreed to serve as honorary chairman of the Continental Africa Chamber of commerce (CACC), the African-American led group that sponsored an historic meeting with him on Saturday, October 26, at the Sheraton Washington Hotel. Approximately 35 African-American businessmen, women, educators and professionals participated in the two-hour meeting. President Diouf, who is current chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), also discussed the potential role of African-Americans in African economic development as envisioned under the "Lagos Plan of Action." The Plan, adopted in Lagos, Nigeria in 1980. represents a kind of joint economic blue- print for long-term development of the 50-member states of the OAU.

The proposed joint African-American/ Senegalese Economic Commission would be established under the auspices of the CACC "to develop a wide range of econ- omic, cultural and educational exchanges between African-Americans and the Government and people of Senegal".

A similar proposal to establish a joint economic commission was made last week in New York during a meeting of a CACC delegation with President El Hadj Omar Bongo of the Republic of Gabon, an oil-rich nation in central Africa.

Eugene Jackson, president, Unity Broadcasting Network Inc., and chairman, CACC Board of Directors, told and President Diouf that African-Americans have a strong, natural desire to participate in the development of "their homeland". Ohene Darko, founder and president of CACC, called the meeting with President Diouf "an unprecedented opportunity for African-Americans who are looking for ways to build their own communities while assisting African development".

President Diouf acknowledged his "heartfelt pleasure" to meet with his "brothers and sisters in America." He pointed out the important role of African- Americans in the continuing struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He also invited the CACC to send a delegation to the OAU Summit Meeting in 1986; and to the Pan-African Cultural Festival which Senegal will host in 1987.

CACC is a non-profit association that promotes trade and economic develop- ment between African countries and the United States. Based in Washington, DC., it was officially introduced in the Congressional Record of October 10, 1985. …

From left: H. E. Falilou Kane, Senegal Ambassador to US, Eugene Jackson, chairman, CACC, president, Unity Broadcasting Network; Abdou Diouf, president of Senegal, chairman, Organization of African Unity; Ohene Darko, president, CACC; H. E. Oumarou G. Youssoufou, executive secretary, Organization of African Unity.