June 20, 2018
Press Release
Dear Funders and Partners,
It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors of the Council of
African-Canadians of Alberta (the “Africa Centre”) that certain individuals – led by
Dawit Isaac, Ismail Osman Haschi, Jibril Ibrahim and others – claiming to constitute
the so-called ‘General Membership of the Africa Centre’ have been sending
emails to our partners and the public claiming that they have removed the Board
Chair of the Africa Centre.
The Board of Directors of the Africa Centre would like to inform you all that
the so-called “General Members of the Africa Centre” is an alien group
that is NOT affiliated with the Africa Centre.
We would like to advise all our partners and the general public that the information
being circulated is false.
Any decisions, insofar as they pertain to the Africa Centre and its activities,
purportedly taken by these individuals and/or the ‘General Members of the Africa
Centre’ should be ignored as they are of no legal effect whatsoever.
Our lawyers have been instructed to immediately commence legal proceedings against
the individuals concerned and the group that calls itself “General membership of the
Africa Centre”. Our partners and funders are advised against meeting or
corresponding with these individuals.
Their mode of operation is designed to distract from the important work the Board of
Directors continues to carry out for the good of the Africa Centre and the African
community.
The Africa Centre is an established legal entity that is governed by its
Bylaws. According to the Bylaws, Members’ Meeting can only be called by
the Board and presided over by the Board Chair. Decisions that will make a
fundamental change to the organization can only be made by 2/3 of its
membership.
For your information, only 3 registered members out of a total of nearly 30
registered members are part of this group of individuals who met and made a decision
in their own interest. These individuals are friends of Mr Tesfaye Ayalew, former
Executive Director of the Africa Centre. Ever since the Board terminated the
employment of Mr. Ayalew, these individuals have been fighting with the Board
through false accusations and misleading emails to the public. They have
even written to the City of Edmonton on one occasion asking the City to stop funding
the Africa Centre. These individuals do not care about the African community and do
not constitute the general membership of the Africa Centre.
Hope to see you all at Africa Day this Saturday, June 23 at 6:30 pm at the Edmonton
Expo Centre on 7515 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 0J2.
If you have any questions please call our office at 780 455 5423 ext.200
Thank you.
Africa Centre Board
