International African Association

The International African society, including International Africa Association or short International Association, (French Association Internationale Africaine, AIA) was founded in 1876 Society for the coordination of international humanitarian and scientific work in Africa. She served the Belgian king, Leopold II, as front organizations for its colonial plans.

History

The International African society was founded on the meeting called by Leopold II international geographical conference in Brussels with an existing four-person Executive Committee. As its first president was unanimously elected Leopold for a year. All conference participants except the United Kingdom established national committees in their home countries.

The only sitting of Parliament was held in June 1877. On this one emanating from Zanzibar expedition was approved, which should establish a branch of the Company on Lake Tanganyika. In addition, Leopold was again elected president and set the flag with a gold star on a blue background. The Familiar of Leopold, Henry Shelton Sanford was, to the Executive Committee, which had been awarded the right to independently approve expeditions recorded.

As Secretary General of the Society of Leopold in 1877 appointed the Belgian diplomat Jules Greindl. In the same year the AIA commissioned the explorer and explorer Henry Morton Stanley to conduct extensive expeditions in Central Africa, after he previously hoped in vain that the British government would support his plans.