AU-ECOSOCC has learned of unauthorized activities referred to as "AU 6th Region Elections for ECOSOCC" circulating on various social media platforms.
The AU-ECOSOCC Secretariat would like to inform the public that the African Union (AU) is a multilateral international organization comprising 55 African countries as Member States. All legal, policy, and operational matters affecting the organization and its institutions are determined by the AU Policy Organs at the levels of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the Executive Council.
In 2012, the AU Assembly recognized the Diaspora as the 6th Region of the continent, providing the Diaspora with the opportunity to interface with the AU and contribute to the implementation of its policies and programs. As the institutional vehicle for the engagement of civil society organizations, AU-ECOSOCC has consistently advocated for continued interaction, partnerships, and solidarity between African people and the African Diaspora. The African Union Commission and AU-ECOSOCC have engaged with various diaspora organizations and networks of people of African origin living outside the continent who are willing to contribute to the continent's development and to strengthen the AU.
However, the AU does not currently have a legal framework governing the election of diaspora organizations into the AU-ECOSOCC General Assembly. Recognizing the importance of diaspora organizations' participation, AU-ECOSOCC has developed a framework document to facilitate their effective participation. This document seeks to define what constitutes a diaspora organization and outline eligibility requirements for membership in AU-ECOSOCC. The draft document is currently undergoing a validation exercise. Once the validation process is complete, AU-ECOSOCC will submit the framework to the AU Assembly for approval.
In the absence of such a legal framework, a diaspora organization will not be able to serve as a member of the AU-ECOSOCC General Assembly. Therefore, AU-ECOSOCC will not recognize any election process outside of the institutional procedures approved by the AU and will not associate itself with individuals claiming to represent the AU or AU-ECOSOCC in these unauthorized activities. AU-ECOSOCC reiterates that AU operates as a rule-based organization, and any engagement with the Diaspora and diaspora organizations must occur within an established legal framework.
We wish to advise the public that those involved in this unlawful activity do not have authorization to act on behalf of the AU or AU-ECOSOCC, nor to use our names and official documents for such unauthorized activities. As such, we do not recognize the so-called "AU 6th Region Elections for ECOSOCC" and reject any misrepresentation of AU-ECOSOCC or the AU.
In an effort to address the issue, the AU-ECOSOCC Secretariat has issued a cease-and- desist notice to the individuals involved; however, they have deliberately chosen to disregard the request to refrain from these unlawful activities. Consequently, AU-ECOSOCC is considering further measures, including legal action, and imposing sanctions on those involved, preventing their participation in any future activities of the Union.
In the meantime, we advise the African diaspora community not to be misled and to refrain from participating in these unauthorized and unlawful activities.
