ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in a powerful address at the 38th African Union Summit, called for a historic realignment between Africa and the Caribbean to break free from colonial legacies. She urged leaders to push for economic justice, reparations, and deeper integration, declaring, “We must determine our own future, not be victims of history.”
She framed her address within the legacy of the 1896 Battle of Adwa, where Ethiopia defied European colonial ambitions. The victory, she said, “shook the confidence of the powers of Europe but inspired the people of Africa and the children of the African diaspora.” It set the foundation for the Pan-African movement and ultimately led to the independence of African and Caribbean states. However, Mottley lamented that political independence alone had not yielded full economic and social liberation for African and Caribbean nations.
Reclaiming an ‘Atlantic Destiny’
Prime Minister Mottley stressed that centuries of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade deliberately severed the bond between Africa and the Caribbean. She noted that it is now incumbent upon the current generation of leaders to rewrite that history and create tangible links between the two regions.
“Our relationship, you could say, was embryonic, but regrettably, as long-standing and as deeply connected as we have been, it has remained sporadic. It is up to us… to determine whether the history of separation will be our future or whether the spirit of Adwa can inspire us to confront the challenges of a new world,” she stated.
As Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mottley committed to strengthening African-Caribbean ties, announcing that the first in-person CARICOM-AU Summit will be held in Addis Ababa this September. In addition, Barbados will host the 15th Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) in August, inviting African nations to celebrate shared culture, music, food, and philosophy.
Demand for Reparations and Global Economic Reform
Mottley’s speech also touched on the long-standing demand for reparations for slavery and colonial exploitation, which she said must begin with an apology from former colonial powers. “When we call for reparations from the international community, we first ask for something simple: an apology. A sincere acknowledgment of wrongdoing,” she stressed.
Beyond a symbolic apology, Mottley asserted that reparations must be structured as economic justice mechanisms that address historic inequalities. “Reparations must also ensure fair access to development and compensation because our journey to independence started with a chronic deficit—a deficit of resources, fairness, and opportunity,” she said.
As Chair of the V20, a coalition of 70 climate-vulnerable nations—40% of which are African—Mottley also called for a more just global financial system, particularly in the wake of climate disasters. She credited African solidarity for helping the Caribbean access medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic and pointed to the Bridgetown Initiative, which seeks to modernize international financial institutions.
Bridging the Gap: Travel, Trade, and Technology
Mottley challenged African and Caribbean leaders to dismantle barriers that hinder movement between their regions. “The fact that our people must beg for transit visas to move across the world is unacceptable. To travel east or west, we are forced to go north. This is not right,” she said.
She called for the creation of direct air and sea links between Africa and the Caribbean to enable trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. “Let us make these changes, not just for heads of state, but for ordinary people who wish to trade, travel, and forge a shared future,” she urged.
On technology, Mottley warned that Africa and the Caribbean risk being left behind in the artificial intelligence revolution, much as they were marginalized during the industrial age. She called for strategic investments in science and innovation, leveraging Africa’s vast mineral resources to drive economic transformation. “How can a continent that holds 40% of the world’s minerals not be at the forefront of securing the planet’s stability?” she asked.
A Call for Unity and Leadership
Mottley’s address was a direct challenge to Africa and the Caribbean to seize their moment in history. With Africa expected to account for a quarter of the global population by 2050, she said leaders had a “moral imperative” to ensure unity.
“If we fail to achieve this unity, the fault lies not outside, but within,” she cautioned.
Referencing anti-colonial struggles, apartheid, and past victories, Prime Minister Mottley reminded delegates that history had proven unity was possible. “Some may call this the dream of a naive and romantic daughter of Africa. But if that is the case, I would rather be naive and hopeful than cynical and paralyzed by the power of others.”
With the upcoming CARICOM-AU Summit and cultural collaborations on the horizon, Mottley left African leaders with a call to action: “Let us remove the scars of history and build the future our people deserve. We must emancipate ourselves from mental slavery and fulfill the promise of Adwa.”
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