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A symbolic reconnection between Africa and the Caribbean diaspora took place on Friday 29th at the CARICOM Secretariat when the Deputy Secretary General, Dr Armstrong Alexis, welcomed a royal delegation from South Africa, Uganda and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The delegation included the Founding President of AIDO, His Highness Paul Jones Eganda; His Royal Highness King Pape Sande; Her Royal Majesty Queen Cynthia Khamulo Mzilikazi III; Her Royal Highness Queen Ameenata Asaleh II; Her Royal Highness Princess Precious Lindiwe Nthibogelang; Her Royal Highness Princess Tshepi Motloung, AiDO Caribbean representative, Mr. Samson Esudu and Ms. Mpho Dindi.
The visit was the result of collaboration between the CARICOM Reparations Commission and the International Network of African Kings, Queens and Chiefs (AIDO) in observance of Emancipation Day 2022 in Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda.
Deputy Secretary-General Armstrong who was the deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, told the delegation that the CARICOM Secretariat was privileged to participate in an “extraordinary symbolic moment of reconnection between Africa and the Caribbean diaspora”, noting that his visit coincided with the Emancipation Celebrations in CARICOM member states.
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He said Emancipation is a poignant moment to remember “the triumph of our unceasing resistance as a people over that inhuman crime against humanity of chattel slavery which our forefathers endured for more than 300 years”.
“The commemoration is an opportunity to affirm and remember that freedom is a basic human right of all people that must never be compromised again,” added Deputy Secretary-General Armstrong.
He drew on the words of reggae legend Bob Marley to emphasize that psychological emancipation is as important as physical freedom.
“Mental slavery continues to prevent us as a people from appreciating the greatness of our African and Caribbean civilizations and our extraordinary contributions to humanity in every sphere of endeavour.”
“This is a time for emotional and psychological healing, to promote pride in our African roots, and to take meaningful steps to bridge the divide between our people that was fomented and orchestrated over 400 years ago. We welcome your presence in our midst to continue this process of healing and rebirth,” said Secretary General Armstrong.
He briefed the African monarchs on two important events in CARICOM-Africa relations, recalling the designation of the African diaspora as Africa’s sixth region in 2008 and the historic CARICOM-Africa Summit on September 8, 2021.
At that summit, he said CARICOM leaders declared September 8th as Africa-CARICOM Day and agreed to enhance cooperation in areas including culture, education, science, sports, trade and investment, air travel and maritime links.
“Therefore, we, Your Royal Highnesses, have a strong mandate and framework for the cooperation that AIDO and CARICOM are seeking to advance,” Deputy Secretary-General Armstrong told the delegation.
He briefed the delegation on the region’s pursuit of reparations for indigenous genocide, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel slavery through the CARICOM Reparations Commission.
“Chatel slavery is the worst form of slavery, where the humanity of enslaved Africans was denied and they were subjected to the worst forms of physical and psychological brutality imaginable. The reparation and compensation we seek is essential to restoring dignity and addressing the widespread inequalities endured by people of African descent, which continue to this day,” said Dr Alexis.
He invited AIDO to join CARICOM in the “mission for justice and development as partnership with Africa is essential to our success in achieving restorative justice”.
“We hope, Your Royal Highness, that you will commit to championing the reparations claim through your network of respected community and spiritual leaders, and I thank you on behalf of the Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, for the cooperation that you have already begun work with the Commission, which has resulted in your visit to the region,” said Dr Armstrong.
For their part, members of the delegation underlined the importance of building an air bridge between Africa and the Caribbean for greater contact, trade and investment.
They informed officials of the CARICOM Secretariat that AIDO is a global network of cultural institutions and royal houses both in Africa and in the diaspora, which seeks to provide a platform for dialogue, unity and development. Its mission is to build a network for the promotion and use of culture as a means to achieve social cohesion through respected and honored chiefs, the delegation said.
His Highness Eganda appreciated the links established by AIDO in the region through the CARICOM Reparations Commission and the National Reparations Councils. He underlined the importance of teaching African history in schools, cultural exchanges and bringing together culture and economic development through the guidance and wisdom of cultural leaders.
Young among the delegation, Her Royal Highness Princess Precious Lindiwe Nthibogelang made a moving intervention in which she emphasized the importance of young people pursuing a purposeful life, educating them both culturally and academically, socializing children from all over community and for young people. people to live healthy lives, using food as medicine.
The new Assistant Secretary General for the Directorate of Human and Social Development, Ms. Allison Drayton also welcomed the delegation to the Secretariat noting that Princess Lindiwe’s sentiments resonated with the CARICOM Secretariat’s trajectory on youth development and its work to reduce blight of non-communicable diseases through advocacy for people to consume healthy diets. She expressed optimism that deepening relations between the CARICOM Reparations Commission and AIDO could result in the exchange of best practices in this regard.
The Culture, Youth and Gender Program Manager at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr Hilary Brown, expressed her satisfaction with the fruits of the months-long discussions between the CARICOM Reparations Commission and AIDO, which culminated in the delegation’s visit to Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda.
As the program manager for culture, youth and gender, she said it was very inspiring to hear Princess Lindiwe express her passion for youth development and culture.
“Culture is such an important unifying force. It is the fabric and link between Africa and the Caribbean. It is certainly what unites the Caribbean and is one of the fundamental principles of our regional integration movement. It is an important part of what makes us feel like a family and is of equal value and importance in bringing the Caribbean and Africa together,” said Dr Brown.
Referring to Prof. Rex Nettleford of Jamaica, Dr Brown said that “the excellence of Caribbean cultural expressions is rooted in the African presence in our culture”, adding that it is a powerful platform for deepening relations between Africa and CARICOM.
Source: CARICOM Today
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