CARICOM | P. J. Patterson Calls for Strengthened Ties between Africa and the Caribbean

 The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy : Africa-CARICOM Day Message :

The historical and cultural similarities, combined with shared social, political and economic circumstances have spawned the growth and development of symbiotic relations between African and Caribbean countries and between several countries of both regions, over the ages.

Four years ago, on September 7, 2021 the first Africa Caribbean (CARICOM) Summit was hosted virtually by the Republic of Kenya in the aftermath of a 2003 Declaration by the African Union (AU) of its Diaspora as the sixth region of Africa. That Summit decided to establish September 7 as Africa Caribbean Day.

African and Caribbean states comprise more than a third of the membership in the United Nations (UN).

This significant membership should be maximized as leverage for a more powerful voice of African and Caribbean states on the global stage.

At the present time there is the need for global restructuring against the background of wars and ethnic conflicts, global warming, food security, energy and financial crises.

The UN Secretary General has warned that gains made in development and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals are in danger of being eroded.

It is therefore essential that Africa and the Caribbean speak with one united voice and make good on the promise of full collaboration and a single position to address the common issues facing Africa and the Caribbean.

One year ago, the Statesman-in-Residence at The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy (Institute), voiced the concern of the Institute that, “no host, time or place for the second Summit that was due in 2022 were in place.” “Further delay in setting these constitutes a clear and frightening danger,” Mr Patterson warned.

Despite the hectic schedule of intense international engagement, the Institute is compelled to implore our Heads of government and state to avoid a collapse or disappearance from their focus the consequential decisions taken at the first Summit.

The Institute therefore urges the AU and CARICOM to designate a Head on both sides of the Atlantic who will ensure that the Second Summit takes place as a matter of urgency and in the most propitious environment for moving forward.

There is presently, an urgent need for Heads to determine how we can proceed most effectively in areas of joint interest, such as climate change and resilience, health and food security, trade and investment as we promote greater people to people exchange in sports, music, culture, technology and innovation.

We must use our collective strength to demand immediate action on the report of The Secretary General to the United Nations, which marked The Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

Africa and the Caribbean States must insist that we take a comprehensive approach, grounded in international human rights law, that seeks to address legacies of the past in order to build societies that are free from systemic racism and racial discrimination.

To achieve these objectives effectively, the approach should be participatory, including, where appropriate, restitution, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

We cannot afford any further lapse of time, which would impede Africa and the Caribbean moving forward in unity, equality and solidarity. (WiredJA)