Confédération africaine des syndicats libres (CASL, 'African Confederation of Free Trade Unions'), initially 'Confédération africaine des syndicats libres-Force ouvrière (CASL-FO, 'African Confederation of Free Trade Unions-Workers Power'), was an Africa confederation of trade unions. CASL-FO was founded in February 1958 as the African sections of the French trade union centre CGT-Force Ouvrière separated themselves from their mother organization. The new union confederation was founded at a conference in Abidjan February 8–9, 1958, with participation of the CGT-FO branches of Senegal, French Soudan, Upper Volta, Niger, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Moyen-Congo and Ubangui-Shari. At the time of the founding of CASL-FO, the relationship of the new structure with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and CGT-FO, was debated. In the end the conference resolved that CASL-FO and CGT-FO should have membership of ICFTU on equal footing.[1] [2]
The launching of CASL-FO followed the creation of two other pan-African trade union bodies in French Africa, UGTAN and CATC.[3] CGT-FO had opposed the formation of independent African unions, reluctantly accepting this development by 1958.[4] However, it was stated that although CASL-FO would not be organizationally dependent on CGT-FO it would retain links to the French body.[5] A coordination committee with three representatives of CGT-FO and three representatives of CASL-FO was to oversee the liaisons between the two bodies.[6]
A provisional bureau for CASL-FO was formed, with one representative of French Equatorial Africa, one from French West Africa (Diadié Coulibaly from French Soudan) and one from Cameroon.[7] Antoine Ambili, of French Equatorial Africa, was the general secretary of CASL-FO. Ambili also served as joint secretary of the African Socialist Movement.[8]
CASL-FO was founded on three principles; defense of African personality, the ideals of the free trade union movement and the principles of the French trade union movement (Charter of Amiens).[2] It claimed to be strictly independent of any philosophy or religion.[9]
In 1958 CASL-FO openly called for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum on the French Community.
Shortly afterwards, at the first congress of CASL-FO in September 1959, 'FO' was removed from the name of the organization as it aspired to become the regional organization of ICFTU in sub-Saharan Africa. ICFTU did, however, not approve this request. CGT-FO also rejected these ambitions.[1] [2] [9]
In Senegal CASL-FO was led by Alassane Sow and Sijh Sar.[10] In Cameroon, CASL-FO provided nominal support to the dominant Union Camerounaise.[11] In Upper Volta the CASL section formed the Union nationale des travailleurs de la Haute-Volta, which in 1964 evolved into the Organisation voltaïque des syndicats libres.[12] The Ivorian section of CASL became the Union national de la CASL in 1959.[13]