Article 3 of the Protocol on Amendments of the Constitutive Act of the African Union recognises the important role the African Diaspora has to play in the development of the continent and states that the Union will “invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our Continent, in the building of the African Union.”
“The African Diaspora consists of peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and building of the African Union.” In the AU definition, the diaspora as having the following characteristics:
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Bloodline and/ or heritage: The Diaspora should consist of people living outside the continent whose ancestral roots or heritage are in Africa
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Migration: The Diaspora should be composed of people of African heritage, who migrated from or are living outside the continent. In this context, three trends of migration were identified- pre-slave trade, slave trade, and post-slave trade or modern migration:
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The principle of inclusiveness. The definition must embrace both ancient and modern Diaspora; and
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The commitment to the African cause: The Diaspora should be people who are willing to be part of the continent (or the African family)
The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) is an advisory body of the AU designed to give civil society organizations a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes. ECOSOCC is composed of civil society organisations (CSOs) from a wide range of sectors including labour, business and professional groups, service providers and policy think tanks, both from within Africa and the African diaspora.
The Citizens & Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) is the department responsible for leading the AU’s engagement with the Diaspora through the AU Mission Offices and civil society through the work of the ECOSOCC.
