9EPIIRLIQUE nu 5ENEGAL M!NISTEFiE DU CEVELOPPEMENT ...
9EPIIRLIQUE nu 5ENEGAL
M!NISTEFiE DU CEVELOPPEMENT
RURAL
INSTITUT SENEGALAIS
DEPARTEMENT DE RECHERCHES SUR
\\
2t RECHERCHES AGRICOLES
LES PRODUCTIONS VEGETALES
RAPPORT DE MISSION
CAJRE
15-19 DECEMBRE 1986
par
Mamadou GUEYE
programme MfRCEN
CNRA, BAMBEY
\\!ANVIER. 1987
1 . INTRC'JUCTION
_---
:
'Association Africaine pour la Fixation Biologique de 1'Azote (AABNF) est
une organisation scientifique, apolitique et non gouvernementale. La cons-
titution de 1'AABNF est indiquée à l'annexe 1.
L'AABNF a tenu sa prernière conférence à Nairobi (Kenya) du 23 au 27 Juillet
1&“ *,i ! J j!,'
1984. La deuxième conférence qui s'est tenue au Caire du 15 au 19 Nwembre
1980 avait pour but essentiel, mis à part les comptes rendus sur les nou-
velles acquisitions sur la Fixation Biologique de l'azote (FBA) en Afrique,
de statuer sur la constitution de l'association et d'elire un nouveau bureau.
2. PARTICIPATION DU MIRCEN DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST
Une active correspondance a été initiée entre le département ISRA de recher-
ches sur les productions végétales, 1'UNESCO (Dr. E.J. DaSILVA) et le
MIRCEN du Caire (Dr. M.N.I. MAGDOUB) pour assurer la participation de tous
les correspondants du MIRCEN de l'Afrique de l'ouest. Nous devrions repré-
senter le Sénégal avec Ousmane Diagne (ISRA-CNRF) et Ibrahima NDOYE (ORSTOM).
Malgré les dispositions prises par Dr. MAGDOUB et son équipe, nous étions
seuls (Mamadou GUEYE) à participer à cette conférence. Pour cela, nous
avions été obligés de transformer notre titre de transport (reçu trés tard)
Dakar-Abidjan-Caire-Abidjan-Dakar en un titre de transport Dakar-Paris-Caire.
Dr. MAGDOUB, trbs
compréhensif, nous a délivré
un autre titre de transport
Caire-Paris-Dakar à notre arrivée au Caire.
Il est probable que les correspondants du MIRCEN de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
qui étaient attendus au Caire aient reçu trop tard leur titre de transport
et que par conséquent, ils n'ont pas pu participer à la deuxième confé-
rence AABNF.
3. CONFERENCE AABNF
La conférence comprenait 11 sessions:
Aspects génétiques et compétitivité des Rhizobium
-~
- Facteurs écologiques affectant la FBA par les Rhizobium
- Facteurs écologiques affectant la FBA par les fixateurs non
symbiotiques.
- Algues bleues fixatrices d'azote.
- Effets synergiques des microorganismes sur la FBA.
- Economie d'azote et systèmes de cultures associées.
- Recherche et application de la FBA en Afrique.
- Production d'inoculum et application.
- Inoculatyion des céréales avec les fixateurs non symbiotiques.
- Table ronde sur les MIRCENs.
- Table ronde sur les Organisations du système des Nations Unies
et leur implication dans l'application de la FBA.
4. CONSTITUTION DE L'AABNF
Durant la conférence, la constitution de 1'AABNF (annexe 1) a été lue, amendée
et approuvée à l'unamité.
-1
5. BUREAU DE L'AABNF
Les articles VI et VII de la constitution de 1'AABNF prévoient 12 membres
dans le comité exécutif: un président, un vice-président, un trésorier et
9 membres permanents représentant les 5 régions de l'Afrique, les 3 MIRCENs
et 1'IITA (Ibadan) qui a été un des organismes fondateurs de 1'AABNF. Il
faut remarquer que le trésorier est toujours choisi danbs le pays où rési-
de le président élu de l'association.
6. CONTACTS
t
Le seul contact que nous avions eu a été Dr. BORDELEAU L.M. Ensemble, nous
avons revu et corrigé la publication commune que nous voudrions soumettre
à Mircen Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology au plus tard
le ler Fevrier 1987. Cette publication traitera des travaux que nous avons
conduits sur le Voandzou dans le cadre de notre Projet NAS.
7". TROISIEME CONFERENCE DE L'AABNF
~_--~ .____. --. -----.
La troisième conference de 1'AABNF sera organisée par le MIRCEN de l'Afri-
que de l'Ouest du 7 au 12 Novembre 1988 à Dakar.
Le thème de la conférence sera: MAXIMIZING BIOLOGICAL NITROGEN FIXATION FOR
-.--
AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY PRODUCTION IN AFRICA.
_.
Un comité local d'organisation devra nécessairement être constitué au plus
tard le 15 Février 1987. Nous rappelons que Pr. DOMMERGUES a déja accepté
de parrainer cette troisième conférence AABNF. Egalement, Dr. BORDELEAU
se propose de faire parti du comité international d'organisation.
ANNEXE 1.
CONSTITUTION DE L'AABNF
r.l
THE SECOND coNFERENa
.
OF
THE AFRXAN ASSOCIATION*
. .
FOR -
BlOOGIUL NITROGEN FWTION
THE ROI.3 OF BIOK!GIcbL !?IwEN F+IXATION
FOR DEVEUiPMENT OF RURAL AFRKA
:L5 - 19 December, 1986
CONSTITUTION
?
?
?
AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR BIOLOGICAL
The desire for the African Association for Biologie
NITROGEN FIXATION
Nitrogen
Fixation was expressed at various meetings bel
(Preliminary Draft)
in Ithaca, New York;
Ibadan, Nigeria; Dakar, Senegal;
and Cairo, Egypt.
These meetings paved the way for the
PREAMBLE
First Conference of the African Association for Biolo-
We the Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) Scientists
gical Nitrogen Fixation (Nairobi, .23-27 July, 1984).
delegated from different research, education and executive
l-lave resolved to unite themselves in the pursuit of their
institutions in Africa, conscious of the serious food
common aims and objectives and hereby to establish an
situation in Africa and the vital need to increase bio-
,:
African Association for Biol'ogical Nitrogen Fixation
productivity,
which cal1 for every effort and effective
(AABNF) Scientific and Technical Cooperation in harmony
inter-country cooperation in a11 aspects pertaining to
with the spirit of the Organization of African Unity
increasing production of food and bioenergy and compalicity
(OAU), The Association of African Universities (AAU),
desentification.
The rapid rise in the price of chemical
the Association of Faculties of Agriculture in Africa
fertilizers and the related constraints of foreign
(AFAA) and similar African Organizations.
currency as well as the low officient infga:structures
needed for transport and distribution has sorsened the
CONSTITUTION
situation and thus calls for increased use of bio-ferti-
lizers to improve both yields and quality and avoid environ-
ARTICLE 1:
NAHE
mental polution.
Aware of the extensive rsearch activi-
The name of this Organisation shall be 'Africa Association
ties in some Africab'countries in the areas of BNF and
for Biological
Nitrogen Fixation (AABNF)' hereinafter
the individual experimentation in some other African
to be referred to as the Association.
countries.
and'of the need for additional effort to collate
ARTICLE II:
AFFILIATION
and interprete the existing information from the major
The Association shall be affiliated to other 'z&iY$Iar
ecological zones and subsequently to propose economically
31
organizations
as might further its objectives.
viable systems of improving land productivity to rtember
?$JJ
A~y-=J , +; &.
&--. ,;., . . I i
countries in Africa for adaptation to their specific
ARTICLE III:
OBJECTIVES
c-7
+i-
needs.
The African Association for Biological Nitrogen Fixation
"AABNF"
is a non-polical, non-profit making, scientific
3
Qrganization that deals with biological nitrogen fixation
‘3 i
3.7.
Preparation of a bibliography of institutions and
systems.
The purpose of establishing this association is
.-
scientists working in the field of BhF in Africa
to promote research and application of BNF in a11 regions
p e r i o d e c a l l y . -
of African continent.
i', &-....L~
3.8.
?romotlon
&J*network
type cooperation on regional$ A/.,
The main objectives of the AABNF are as follows:
basis between institutions working on same fields
3.1.
TO stand on the recent developments'in the field
/
of BNF.
of BNF in African Institutions
and identify scientists
$,,t.tJt\\z--T
3.9.
Organizing a General beiannual Conference on BNF
working,in
the,subject.
, &,d-+'
to present recent revelopment in the field of BNF
3.2.
Identification of societies'working in the field of
BtiF in different regions of Africa.
ARTICLE IV:
MEHBERSHIP
3.1.
Promotion of B%F research and applications carried
1.
There sha77 be three types of membership:
nltt hv African institutions and initiation of such
- - -
Ihe t ollowlng‘cateqories of memberships:
-~-
activities in other countries.
(il
3‘4.
Initiation and/or supporting organized meetings,
~~r~~mbers;
'
(ii)
symposia and training courses dealing with BNF in
111
-7 rkJ+k
(iv)
Honorary Members.
the different regions of Africa.
2. (i)
Full membership shall be open to a11 persons,
3,5,
Encouraging publication of scientific papers, tech-
institutions working on the BNF research on
nical reports and extension materials dealing with
application of Universities entitled to be
research and application in the field of BNF in
members of the Association
of African Univer-
Africa.
sities (A.A.U.) and a11 other Institutions of
3.6.
Establishment of documentation centers in the diffe-
Higher Agricultural Education in Africa,
rent weglons of Africa to organize information about
provide; such dues are paid as may be deter-
research activities. genetic materials and available
nined by the Association from time ta time;
technical information and services in the fields of
,ii \\
BNF.
\\“J
Arsociated mcmbership shall be open to any
pet-son interested in the area of BNF, furthering
:
the objectives of the Association, subject
to the approval of Executive Committee;
-.!
5
6
(iii)
Honorary membership shall be open to any
Organization, Society, Association or
any
5 .
Membership shall be suspended automatically in the
other similar body promoting the interests
event of failure to settle the annual subscriotion
of Biofertilizers and/or agricultural
for two consecutive years.
Al1 membership rights
development in Africa, on the recommendation
Will automatically be regained on payment of the
of the Executive Committee and subject to
total amount of subscription outstanding;
the consent of the biennial General Meeting;
6 .
Any member who resigns or is removed from membership
(iv)
Only Full Members shall have the right to
shall not be entitled to a refund of his/her memher-
vote at meetings of the Association.
ship fee or subscription or any part thereof or any
moneys contributed at any time.
4 .
Any member may be expelled from the Assocation if
the Executive Committee SO recommends and if a
ARTICLE Y:
RESOIJRCES
General Meeting resolves by a two-thirds majority
The resources of the Association shal 1 consis d of:
of the Full Member present at the general meeting
1 .
Membership fees applicable to both Eu11 and Associate
that such a member should be expelled on the grounds
Member
which shall be two
US dollars or its
that its conduct has adversely affected the reputa-
equivalent in convertible currency;
tion or dignity of the Association, or that it has
2 .
Grants, gifts, donations, bequests, legacies. etc..
contravened any of the provisions of the Constitu-
from individuals, governments, national parastatal
tion.
The Executive Committee shall have the power
and private organisations, regional and international
to suspend a member form his/her membership until
organizations,
the next Genenal Meeting of the Association following
such suspension, but this notwithstanding a member
ARTICLE
VI:
EXECUTIVE COMIYITTEE
whose expulsion is proposed shall have the right to
1.
There shall be an Executive Committee of the Associa-
&&"JP~*.:l
address the General Meeting at which its expulsion
tion, made up of three officers and nineor;daaary members.
is to be considered;
Each of these shall be elected from the Full Members
at the biennial General Meeting.
They shall hold
office until the next biennial General Meeting.
2 .
No minations for offices in the Executive Committee
of the Association should be made seconded at the
ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
session of the biennial General Meeting that has been
set aside for the purpose of the eleCtiOn of officers.
1 .
The Chairman shall normally preside at a11 General
In case of no representation of one or more of the
meetings of the Association and the Executive
five regions, candidates from this region cari be
Committee Meetings;
He ehall be the spokesman for
recommended in absentiation provided that the
the Association in a11 matters of policy approved by
nominees willingness to serve cari be substanciated.
the Association or the Executive Committee;
and
3,
Voting of the élection of the officers and members
he shall represent the Association in a11 legaI
of the Executive Committee of the Association shall
matters.
be by secret ballot.
.A
-.-
4 .
Any vacancies in the Executive Committee caused by
2.
The Vice-Chairman
shall perform a11 duties of the
-- .-.-- ~ --.---- ~--.
resignation or any other CW9ë Will be fi~ll~ed by
Chairmàn in thë ab%ÏiCë ot tliè latfer, ancl përtorm
the Executive committee from among the runners-up
such other duties as may be as%zigned to him by
in the previous election.
the Chairman.
5.
In the event that the general meeting of the AABNF
is delayed the current execut i ve committee shall
3.
The SecretarylTresurer shall be responsible for the
continue in office until such
time as a general
records, finances and assets of the Association.
meeting is convened.
The max mun period between
lie shall preppre
audited accounts to the Executive
general meetings however, sha 1 not exceed 3 years.
Comni ttee. '
ARTICLE VII:
OFFICERS
1 .
There shall be a Chairman, a Vice Chairman.
2.
Secretary/Tresurer shall be co-opted by the
Executive Committee for the country in which the
Chairman is resident.
10
ARTICLE X:
MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall meet if possible once
between every two consecituve biennial General Meetings;
ARTICLE IX:
DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
the Executive Committee meetings shall be called by the
Chairman.
1.
The Executive Committee shall manage the affairs and
administer the funds of the Association in accordance
ARTICLE XI:
GENERAL MEETINGS
with this Constitution and the policies and direc-
tives issued by the General meetings of the Associa-
1 .
There shall be regular biennial General Meetings of
tion, and it shall prepare the budget of the Associa-
the Association at a place to be decided upon at the
tion for the consideration and approval of the
previous General Meeting.
The dates for these meeting:
biennial General Meeting;
shall be determined by the Executive Committee and
communicated to a11 Members at least six months in
2 .
The Executive Committee shall fulfil the objectives
advance.
The agenda for the biennial General Meetings
of the Association, among other things, by organizing
shall be prepared by the Executive Committee in
s'cientific meetings, training course, study groups,
accordance with the apparent wishes of the Association
and
any other appropriate activities.
and the provisions of this Constitution and in consulta
3,
The Executive Committee shall collect, collate and
tion with the members. and shall be despatched to a11
disseminate information pertaining to the activities
members and to such observers as the Executive Committe
of the Association and prepare the minutes of the
shall decide to invi,te not less than six days before
biennial and a11 other General Meetings and those of
the scheduled date {for these meetings,
the Executive Copmittee and arrange for the publica-
The biennial General Meeting shall appoint Auditors
tion, distribution and preservation of the reports
who shall audit a11 accounts of the Association and
and proceedings of a11 Meetings and Conferences of the
submit a report the next biennial General Meeting;
Association.
Extraordinary General Meetings of the Association may
4 .
The Executive Cnmmittee may establish rules under
be called by the Chairman at the request of two-thirds
this constitution to facilitate the execution of
of the Full members,
such meetings shall require a
its functions.
minimun notice of sixty days and the agenda shall con-
sist excluçively of those items listed in the request
for such a meeting
1 1
1 2
4 .
Fui1 members of the Association attending the meeting
ARTICLE XIV:
AMENDMEN TS TO THE CONSTITUTION
shall be entitled to vote.
1 .
Amendments to thë Constitut on of the Association
shall be considered only at a biennial General
5 .
Al1 decisions at any General Meeting shall be taken
Meeting of the Association;
proposais for
by simple majority vote, except for those decisions
such amendments shall be ma e in writing, duly
relating to expulsion of mem
rs and amendments to the
seconded,
and circulated to a11 Full Members, at
Constitution which shall be subject to the provisions
least sixty days before the date of the General
of Article IV (4) and XIV (Z), respectively, and those
Meeting at which the amendments are to be voted
relating to dissolution of the Association which shall be
on;
subject to the provisions of Article XV (1).
I n t h e
2‘
Amendments to the Constitution shall be by a two-
case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a
thirds majority vote taken at the biennial General
casting vote.
Meeting.
.-~
I-_._._.__ ___.__.._._.... -..--.---.--.---..---.---.-.-.-
.-......-.-..-..-.-.-.--.-..-..--.-..-..-...--.-. .-.-.-.-.- .---. -----.-----------.--------.---------.-------.------------.-..~
---_.-
ARTICLE XII:
QUORUM
ARTICLE XV:
DISSOLUTION
I
1 .
The quorum at the
biennial General Meetings and any
1 .
The Association shall not be dissolved except by a
other General Meetings shall be twenty five percent
resolution passed at General Meeting by a vote of
of the membership;
two-thirds of a11 Full Members of the Associati on.
2 .
The quorum at the Executive Committee meetings shall
Full Members unable to attend the meeting shall be
be four elected members.
entitled to a postal vote.
1.
2 .
Should the mo$ion for dissolution be passed, the
#
ARTICLE XIII;
Secretary‘and Treasurer shall pay a11 debts and
BYLAWS
liabilities of the Association within one month
The bylaws of the Association shall be prepared by the
and shall, within
one further month, distribute
Executive Committee and approved by a General Meeting of
the balance of the assets of the Association to
the Association;
amendments to bylaws
may be made by
the pu id--aUp Full Member Institutions, in eqüal
simple majority vote at any General Meeting of the Associa-
shares.
No expenses, Uebts or liabilities shall
tion
13
be incurred after the General Meeting at which the
motion for dissolution-of the Association was passed,
except for the expenses directly connected with the
settling of existing debts and liabilities and the
distribution of the assets, and the Auditor's
honorarium.
The Auditor shall inspect the accounts and
certify in writing to a11 Full Members that they are -
correct,
duly vouched and in accordance with the law,
or report in what respect they are found to be in-
correct,
unvouched or not in accordance with the
law.
The dissolution of the Association shall not take
effect until the Auditor has certified that the
accounts are correct in a11 respects and that no debts
or assets remain.
ARTICLE
XVI:
TEXT LANGUAGE
The Arabie, English, French and Portugese certified
versions of this Constitution shall be equally
authoritative.
13
ANNEXE 2. Bureah de 1'AABNF.
_ .- .--.
Régions ou Organismes
Postes
-._ - -
Noms
Origines
représentés
.-
Président
Dr. ALAA EL-DIN,M.N.
EwP
Vice-président
Dr. GUEYE,M.
Sénégal
Membres
Dr. LUYINDULA, M.
Zaïre
Afrique Centrale
Dr. SALEMA, M.P.
Tanzanie
Afrique de l'Est
Dr. MAHMOUD, S.A.Z.
Egypte
Afrique du Nord
Dr. SANGINGA, N.
Zimbabwe
Afrique du Sud
Dr. ODEYEMI, 0.
Nigeria
Afrique de l'Ouest
Dr. SSALI, ~4.
Kenya
MIRCEN de Nairobi
Dr. AMARA, 3.
Sierra Léone
MIRCEN de l'Afrique
de l'Ouest
Dr. EL-HADDAD, M.
Egypte
MIRCEN du Caire
Dr. MULONGOY, K.
Nigéria
IITA (Ibadan)
M!NISTEFiE DU CEVELOPPEMENT
RURAL
INSTITUT SENEGALAIS
DEPARTEMENT DE RECHERCHES SUR
\\
2t RECHERCHES AGRICOLES
LES PRODUCTIONS VEGETALES
RAPPORT DE MISSION
CAJRE
15-19 DECEMBRE 1986
par
Mamadou GUEYE
programme MfRCEN
CNRA, BAMBEY
\\!ANVIER. 1987
1 . INTRC'JUCTION
_---
:
'Association Africaine pour la Fixation Biologique de 1'Azote (AABNF) est
une organisation scientifique, apolitique et non gouvernementale. La cons-
titution de 1'AABNF est indiquée à l'annexe 1.
L'AABNF a tenu sa prernière conférence à Nairobi (Kenya) du 23 au 27 Juillet
1&“ *,i ! J j!,'
1984. La deuxième conférence qui s'est tenue au Caire du 15 au 19 Nwembre
1980 avait pour but essentiel, mis à part les comptes rendus sur les nou-
velles acquisitions sur la Fixation Biologique de l'azote (FBA) en Afrique,
de statuer sur la constitution de l'association et d'elire un nouveau bureau.
2. PARTICIPATION DU MIRCEN DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST
Une active correspondance a été initiée entre le département ISRA de recher-
ches sur les productions végétales, 1'UNESCO (Dr. E.J. DaSILVA) et le
MIRCEN du Caire (Dr. M.N.I. MAGDOUB) pour assurer la participation de tous
les correspondants du MIRCEN de l'Afrique de l'ouest. Nous devrions repré-
senter le Sénégal avec Ousmane Diagne (ISRA-CNRF) et Ibrahima NDOYE (ORSTOM).
Malgré les dispositions prises par Dr. MAGDOUB et son équipe, nous étions
seuls (Mamadou GUEYE) à participer à cette conférence. Pour cela, nous
avions été obligés de transformer notre titre de transport (reçu trés tard)
Dakar-Abidjan-Caire-Abidjan-Dakar en un titre de transport Dakar-Paris-Caire.
Dr. MAGDOUB, trbs
compréhensif, nous a délivré
un autre titre de transport
Caire-Paris-Dakar à notre arrivée au Caire.
Il est probable que les correspondants du MIRCEN de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
qui étaient attendus au Caire aient reçu trop tard leur titre de transport
et que par conséquent, ils n'ont pas pu participer à la deuxième confé-
rence AABNF.
3. CONFERENCE AABNF
La conférence comprenait 11 sessions:
Aspects génétiques et compétitivité des Rhizobium
-~
- Facteurs écologiques affectant la FBA par les Rhizobium
- Facteurs écologiques affectant la FBA par les fixateurs non
symbiotiques.
- Algues bleues fixatrices d'azote.
- Effets synergiques des microorganismes sur la FBA.
- Economie d'azote et systèmes de cultures associées.
- Recherche et application de la FBA en Afrique.
- Production d'inoculum et application.
- Inoculatyion des céréales avec les fixateurs non symbiotiques.
- Table ronde sur les MIRCENs.
- Table ronde sur les Organisations du système des Nations Unies
et leur implication dans l'application de la FBA.
4. CONSTITUTION DE L'AABNF
Durant la conférence, la constitution de 1'AABNF (annexe 1) a été lue, amendée
et approuvée à l'unamité.
-1
5. BUREAU DE L'AABNF
Les articles VI et VII de la constitution de 1'AABNF prévoient 12 membres
dans le comité exécutif: un président, un vice-président, un trésorier et
9 membres permanents représentant les 5 régions de l'Afrique, les 3 MIRCENs
et 1'IITA (Ibadan) qui a été un des organismes fondateurs de 1'AABNF. Il
faut remarquer que le trésorier est toujours choisi danbs le pays où rési-
de le président élu de l'association.
6. CONTACTS
t
Le seul contact que nous avions eu a été Dr. BORDELEAU L.M. Ensemble, nous
avons revu et corrigé la publication commune que nous voudrions soumettre
à Mircen Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology au plus tard
le ler Fevrier 1987. Cette publication traitera des travaux que nous avons
conduits sur le Voandzou dans le cadre de notre Projet NAS.
7". TROISIEME CONFERENCE DE L'AABNF
~_--~ .____. --. -----.
La troisième conference de 1'AABNF sera organisée par le MIRCEN de l'Afri-
que de l'Ouest du 7 au 12 Novembre 1988 à Dakar.
Le thème de la conférence sera: MAXIMIZING BIOLOGICAL NITROGEN FIXATION FOR
-.--
AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY PRODUCTION IN AFRICA.
_.
Un comité local d'organisation devra nécessairement être constitué au plus
tard le 15 Février 1987. Nous rappelons que Pr. DOMMERGUES a déja accepté
de parrainer cette troisième conférence AABNF. Egalement, Dr. BORDELEAU
se propose de faire parti du comité international d'organisation.
ANNEXE 1.
CONSTITUTION DE L'AABNF
r.l
THE SECOND coNFERENa
.
OF
THE AFRXAN ASSOCIATION*
. .
FOR -
BlOOGIUL NITROGEN FWTION
THE ROI.3 OF BIOK!GIcbL !?IwEN F+IXATION
FOR DEVEUiPMENT OF RURAL AFRKA
:L5 - 19 December, 1986
CONSTITUTION
?
?
?
AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR BIOLOGICAL
The desire for the African Association for Biologie
NITROGEN FIXATION
Nitrogen
Fixation was expressed at various meetings bel
(Preliminary Draft)
in Ithaca, New York;
Ibadan, Nigeria; Dakar, Senegal;
and Cairo, Egypt.
These meetings paved the way for the
PREAMBLE
First Conference of the African Association for Biolo-
We the Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) Scientists
gical Nitrogen Fixation (Nairobi, .23-27 July, 1984).
delegated from different research, education and executive
l-lave resolved to unite themselves in the pursuit of their
institutions in Africa, conscious of the serious food
common aims and objectives and hereby to establish an
situation in Africa and the vital need to increase bio-
,:
African Association for Biol'ogical Nitrogen Fixation
productivity,
which cal1 for every effort and effective
(AABNF) Scientific and Technical Cooperation in harmony
inter-country cooperation in a11 aspects pertaining to
with the spirit of the Organization of African Unity
increasing production of food and bioenergy and compalicity
(OAU), The Association of African Universities (AAU),
desentification.
The rapid rise in the price of chemical
the Association of Faculties of Agriculture in Africa
fertilizers and the related constraints of foreign
(AFAA) and similar African Organizations.
currency as well as the low officient infga:structures
needed for transport and distribution has sorsened the
CONSTITUTION
situation and thus calls for increased use of bio-ferti-
lizers to improve both yields and quality and avoid environ-
ARTICLE 1:
NAHE
mental polution.
Aware of the extensive rsearch activi-
The name of this Organisation shall be 'Africa Association
ties in some Africab'countries in the areas of BNF and
for Biological
Nitrogen Fixation (AABNF)' hereinafter
the individual experimentation in some other African
to be referred to as the Association.
countries.
and'of the need for additional effort to collate
ARTICLE II:
AFFILIATION
and interprete the existing information from the major
The Association shall be affiliated to other 'z&iY$Iar
ecological zones and subsequently to propose economically
31
organizations
as might further its objectives.
viable systems of improving land productivity to rtember
?$JJ
A~y-=J , +; &.
&--. ,;., . . I i
countries in Africa for adaptation to their specific
ARTICLE III:
OBJECTIVES
c-7
+i-
needs.
The African Association for Biological Nitrogen Fixation
"AABNF"
is a non-polical, non-profit making, scientific
3
Qrganization that deals with biological nitrogen fixation
‘3 i
3.7.
Preparation of a bibliography of institutions and
systems.
The purpose of establishing this association is
.-
scientists working in the field of BhF in Africa
to promote research and application of BNF in a11 regions
p e r i o d e c a l l y . -
of African continent.
i', &-....L~
3.8.
?romotlon
&J*network
type cooperation on regional$ A/.,
The main objectives of the AABNF are as follows:
basis between institutions working on same fields
3.1.
TO stand on the recent developments'in the field
/
of BNF.
of BNF in African Institutions
and identify scientists
$,,t.tJt\\z--T
3.9.
Organizing a General beiannual Conference on BNF
working,in
the,subject.
, &,d-+'
to present recent revelopment in the field of BNF
3.2.
Identification of societies'working in the field of
BtiF in different regions of Africa.
ARTICLE IV:
MEHBERSHIP
3.1.
Promotion of B%F research and applications carried
1.
There sha77 be three types of membership:
nltt hv African institutions and initiation of such
- - -
Ihe t ollowlng‘cateqories of memberships:
-~-
activities in other countries.
(il
3‘4.
Initiation and/or supporting organized meetings,
~~r~~mbers;
'
(ii)
symposia and training courses dealing with BNF in
111
-7 rkJ+k
(iv)
Honorary Members.
the different regions of Africa.
2. (i)
Full membership shall be open to a11 persons,
3,5,
Encouraging publication of scientific papers, tech-
institutions working on the BNF research on
nical reports and extension materials dealing with
application of Universities entitled to be
research and application in the field of BNF in
members of the Association
of African Univer-
Africa.
sities (A.A.U.) and a11 other Institutions of
3.6.
Establishment of documentation centers in the diffe-
Higher Agricultural Education in Africa,
rent weglons of Africa to organize information about
provide; such dues are paid as may be deter-
research activities. genetic materials and available
nined by the Association from time ta time;
technical information and services in the fields of
,ii \\
BNF.
\\“J
Arsociated mcmbership shall be open to any
pet-son interested in the area of BNF, furthering
:
the objectives of the Association, subject
to the approval of Executive Committee;
-.!
5
6
(iii)
Honorary membership shall be open to any
Organization, Society, Association or
any
5 .
Membership shall be suspended automatically in the
other similar body promoting the interests
event of failure to settle the annual subscriotion
of Biofertilizers and/or agricultural
for two consecutive years.
Al1 membership rights
development in Africa, on the recommendation
Will automatically be regained on payment of the
of the Executive Committee and subject to
total amount of subscription outstanding;
the consent of the biennial General Meeting;
6 .
Any member who resigns or is removed from membership
(iv)
Only Full Members shall have the right to
shall not be entitled to a refund of his/her memher-
vote at meetings of the Association.
ship fee or subscription or any part thereof or any
moneys contributed at any time.
4 .
Any member may be expelled from the Assocation if
the Executive Committee SO recommends and if a
ARTICLE Y:
RESOIJRCES
General Meeting resolves by a two-thirds majority
The resources of the Association shal 1 consis d of:
of the Full Member present at the general meeting
1 .
Membership fees applicable to both Eu11 and Associate
that such a member should be expelled on the grounds
Member
which shall be two
US dollars or its
that its conduct has adversely affected the reputa-
equivalent in convertible currency;
tion or dignity of the Association, or that it has
2 .
Grants, gifts, donations, bequests, legacies. etc..
contravened any of the provisions of the Constitu-
from individuals, governments, national parastatal
tion.
The Executive Committee shall have the power
and private organisations, regional and international
to suspend a member form his/her membership until
organizations,
the next Genenal Meeting of the Association following
such suspension, but this notwithstanding a member
ARTICLE
VI:
EXECUTIVE COMIYITTEE
whose expulsion is proposed shall have the right to
1.
There shall be an Executive Committee of the Associa-
&&"JP~*.:l
address the General Meeting at which its expulsion
tion, made up of three officers and nineor;daaary members.
is to be considered;
Each of these shall be elected from the Full Members
at the biennial General Meeting.
They shall hold
office until the next biennial General Meeting.
2 .
No minations for offices in the Executive Committee
of the Association should be made seconded at the
ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
session of the biennial General Meeting that has been
set aside for the purpose of the eleCtiOn of officers.
1 .
The Chairman shall normally preside at a11 General
In case of no representation of one or more of the
meetings of the Association and the Executive
five regions, candidates from this region cari be
Committee Meetings;
He ehall be the spokesman for
recommended in absentiation provided that the
the Association in a11 matters of policy approved by
nominees willingness to serve cari be substanciated.
the Association or the Executive Committee;
and
3,
Voting of the élection of the officers and members
he shall represent the Association in a11 legaI
of the Executive Committee of the Association shall
matters.
be by secret ballot.
.A
-.-
4 .
Any vacancies in the Executive Committee caused by
2.
The Vice-Chairman
shall perform a11 duties of the
-- .-.-- ~ --.---- ~--.
resignation or any other CW9ë Will be fi~ll~ed by
Chairmàn in thë ab%ÏiCë ot tliè latfer, ancl përtorm
the Executive committee from among the runners-up
such other duties as may be as%zigned to him by
in the previous election.
the Chairman.
5.
In the event that the general meeting of the AABNF
is delayed the current execut i ve committee shall
3.
The SecretarylTresurer shall be responsible for the
continue in office until such
time as a general
records, finances and assets of the Association.
meeting is convened.
The max mun period between
lie shall preppre
audited accounts to the Executive
general meetings however, sha 1 not exceed 3 years.
Comni ttee. '
ARTICLE VII:
OFFICERS
1 .
There shall be a Chairman, a Vice Chairman.
2.
Secretary/Tresurer shall be co-opted by the
Executive Committee for the country in which the
Chairman is resident.
10
ARTICLE X:
MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall meet if possible once
between every two consecituve biennial General Meetings;
ARTICLE IX:
DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
the Executive Committee meetings shall be called by the
Chairman.
1.
The Executive Committee shall manage the affairs and
administer the funds of the Association in accordance
ARTICLE XI:
GENERAL MEETINGS
with this Constitution and the policies and direc-
tives issued by the General meetings of the Associa-
1 .
There shall be regular biennial General Meetings of
tion, and it shall prepare the budget of the Associa-
the Association at a place to be decided upon at the
tion for the consideration and approval of the
previous General Meeting.
The dates for these meeting:
biennial General Meeting;
shall be determined by the Executive Committee and
communicated to a11 Members at least six months in
2 .
The Executive Committee shall fulfil the objectives
advance.
The agenda for the biennial General Meetings
of the Association, among other things, by organizing
shall be prepared by the Executive Committee in
s'cientific meetings, training course, study groups,
accordance with the apparent wishes of the Association
and
any other appropriate activities.
and the provisions of this Constitution and in consulta
3,
The Executive Committee shall collect, collate and
tion with the members. and shall be despatched to a11
disseminate information pertaining to the activities
members and to such observers as the Executive Committe
of the Association and prepare the minutes of the
shall decide to invi,te not less than six days before
biennial and a11 other General Meetings and those of
the scheduled date {for these meetings,
the Executive Copmittee and arrange for the publica-
The biennial General Meeting shall appoint Auditors
tion, distribution and preservation of the reports
who shall audit a11 accounts of the Association and
and proceedings of a11 Meetings and Conferences of the
submit a report the next biennial General Meeting;
Association.
Extraordinary General Meetings of the Association may
4 .
The Executive Cnmmittee may establish rules under
be called by the Chairman at the request of two-thirds
this constitution to facilitate the execution of
of the Full members,
such meetings shall require a
its functions.
minimun notice of sixty days and the agenda shall con-
sist excluçively of those items listed in the request
for such a meeting
1 1
1 2
4 .
Fui1 members of the Association attending the meeting
ARTICLE XIV:
AMENDMEN TS TO THE CONSTITUTION
shall be entitled to vote.
1 .
Amendments to thë Constitut on of the Association
shall be considered only at a biennial General
5 .
Al1 decisions at any General Meeting shall be taken
Meeting of the Association;
proposais for
by simple majority vote, except for those decisions
such amendments shall be ma e in writing, duly
relating to expulsion of mem
rs and amendments to the
seconded,
and circulated to a11 Full Members, at
Constitution which shall be subject to the provisions
least sixty days before the date of the General
of Article IV (4) and XIV (Z), respectively, and those
Meeting at which the amendments are to be voted
relating to dissolution of the Association which shall be
on;
subject to the provisions of Article XV (1).
I n t h e
2‘
Amendments to the Constitution shall be by a two-
case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a
thirds majority vote taken at the biennial General
casting vote.
Meeting.
.-~
I-_._._.__ ___.__.._._.... -..--.---.--.---..---.---.-.-.-
.-......-.-..-..-.-.-.--.-..-..--.-..-..-...--.-. .-.-.-.-.- .---. -----.-----------.--------.---------.-------.------------.-..~
---_.-
ARTICLE XII:
QUORUM
ARTICLE XV:
DISSOLUTION
I
1 .
The quorum at the
biennial General Meetings and any
1 .
The Association shall not be dissolved except by a
other General Meetings shall be twenty five percent
resolution passed at General Meeting by a vote of
of the membership;
two-thirds of a11 Full Members of the Associati on.
2 .
The quorum at the Executive Committee meetings shall
Full Members unable to attend the meeting shall be
be four elected members.
entitled to a postal vote.
1.
2 .
Should the mo$ion for dissolution be passed, the
#
ARTICLE XIII;
Secretary‘and Treasurer shall pay a11 debts and
BYLAWS
liabilities of the Association within one month
The bylaws of the Association shall be prepared by the
and shall, within
one further month, distribute
Executive Committee and approved by a General Meeting of
the balance of the assets of the Association to
the Association;
amendments to bylaws
may be made by
the pu id--aUp Full Member Institutions, in eqüal
simple majority vote at any General Meeting of the Associa-
shares.
No expenses, Uebts or liabilities shall
tion
13
be incurred after the General Meeting at which the
motion for dissolution-of the Association was passed,
except for the expenses directly connected with the
settling of existing debts and liabilities and the
distribution of the assets, and the Auditor's
honorarium.
The Auditor shall inspect the accounts and
certify in writing to a11 Full Members that they are -
correct,
duly vouched and in accordance with the law,
or report in what respect they are found to be in-
correct,
unvouched or not in accordance with the
law.
The dissolution of the Association shall not take
effect until the Auditor has certified that the
accounts are correct in a11 respects and that no debts
or assets remain.
ARTICLE
XVI:
TEXT LANGUAGE
The Arabie, English, French and Portugese certified
versions of this Constitution shall be equally
authoritative.
13
ANNEXE 2. Bureah de 1'AABNF.
_ .- .--.
Régions ou Organismes
Postes
-._ - -
Noms
Origines
représentés
.-
Président
Dr. ALAA EL-DIN,M.N.
EwP
Vice-président
Dr. GUEYE,M.
Sénégal
Membres
Dr. LUYINDULA, M.
Zaïre
Afrique Centrale
Dr. SALEMA, M.P.
Tanzanie
Afrique de l'Est
Dr. MAHMOUD, S.A.Z.
Egypte
Afrique du Nord
Dr. SANGINGA, N.
Zimbabwe
Afrique du Sud
Dr. ODEYEMI, 0.
Nigeria
Afrique de l'Ouest
Dr. SSALI, ~4.
Kenya
MIRCEN de Nairobi
Dr. AMARA, 3.
Sierra Léone
MIRCEN de l'Afrique
de l'Ouest
Dr. EL-HADDAD, M.
Egypte
MIRCEN du Caire
Dr. MULONGOY, K.
Nigéria
IITA (Ibadan)