The President of the
Colorado African Organization, CAO, Dr. Bakary Sonko,
has this to say to all Africans, people of African
descent, and friends of Africa: A few months ago an
attempt was initiated to try and bring all Africans
living in Colorado, people of African descent and
supporters of African people together. The purpose
of this effort was to foster greater unity among us,
to increase the level of our participation in the
activities of the society we live in and to help
open opportunities to our people. It was an exciting
moment for all of us. The association created was
called the Center For African Affairs (CFAA). Most
of us put lots of energy and time to try and realize
our noble goals and in the process we have made some
progress. However, recent self-centered actions and
statements made by the director of the CFAA, made it
impossible for us to continue this work. We do not
think it will be in the best interest of the people
we represent to continue to serve and remain in the
CFAA. We have therefore dissociated ourselves from
the CFAA. But we have not given up on the idea of
forming an African organization that will be
inclusive, democratic and one that will belong to
all of us. This process has started and we now have
a newly formed organization, called "Colorado
African Organization" (CAO) which I have the
honor to introduce to you. CAO is an organization
for African unity in Colorado. Although it was
initiated by a group of dedicated African
professionals, it belongs to all Africans, people of
African decent and all friends of Africa. The
objectives of the CAO are:
(a) to help bring
unity among our people,
(b) to help our people integrate and participate
positively in the broader American society,
(c) to help open doors of opportunity to our people
so that they could improve their standards of living
and,
(d) to contribute towards the development of our
continent, Africa, and her people.
I would like to ask
all Africans, people of African descent, and friends
of Africa for your commitment to ensuring that the
noble objectives of the CAO are continued and
strengthened. We look forward to working with all
Africans and their associations for the long run to
make our dreams for a genuine and selfless
organization for African unity in Colorado come
true. Thank you.
Bakary J Sonko, Ph.D.
