Uncategorized #BTEditorial – Let’s embrace Africa-Caribbean ties – and make them real by Barbados Today 08/09/2021 written by Barbados Today Updated by Stefon Jordan 08/09/2021 4 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappThreadsBlueskyEmail 275 Let’s embrace Africa-Caribbean ties – and make them real The inextricable link between the Caribbean and Africa, though not fully embraced, exploited or expanded for decades yet endures. The ties in blood, sweat, tears and toil that extend through half a millennium must now be allowed to flourish on both ends of the Atlantic Ocean. For while most of the citizens of the islands that make up this archipelago are the descendants of captured Africans sold into slavery to develop the so-called New World and Europe, Africa and the Caribbean have largely been distant friends. In an era of peace and freedom, both sides have engaged each other through various organisations as the United Nations, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of countries and others, but this has not given birth to robust cooperation and meaningful exchanges between people who share a telling common identity and culture. Now, the leaders of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and their African counterparts have declared intentions to turn a new page with the staging of the first ever African-CARICOM summit held under the theme, Unity Across Continents and Oceans: Opportunities for Deepening Integration. You Might Be Interested In #YEARINREVIEW – Mia mania Shoring up good ideas I resolve to… After more than four hours of talks, the leaders issued the message that the summit had laid a firm foundation on which to build strong political, cultural and socio-economic cooperation for all people of African descent. “This summit has provided a platform to envision a future anchored on shared prosperity for our two regions and in this context we have had a rich productive discussion on the key pillars of this shared vision,” said summit chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s president. Those pillars include deeper political cooperation and collaboration between the African Union and the Caribbean Community “building on our shared heritage”. They agreed to work together to manage the risks and threats, in particular the management of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, climate change, and debt sustainability. And another pillar is the promotion and expansion of trade and investment with a focus on new frontiers such as technology and in particular fintech and the blue economy to catalyse fast recovery and growth of their economies. These are all praiseworthy objectives and noble intentions. But African and Caribbean people will scarcely be moved by talks and well-drafted agreements. They want decisive action and the political will to make effective, functioning Caribbean-Africa relations a lived reality. We remain optimistic. There’s every reason why this partnership should be pursued at this time. Outside of our obvious cultural connections, Africa is a market of an estimated 1.4 billion people. An economy. according to the experts that is rising, particularly with the creation of its unique free trade area – the African Continental Free Trade Area. This presents significant opportunities for trade and investment. It is noteworthy that while most Caribbean countries continue to knock longingly on the doors of the United States and Europe, others have eyed the growth potential in Africa and are exploring the opportunities. Recently, head of the Caribbean Export Development Agency Deodat Maharaj advised Caribbean countries to leverage greater partnerships with Africa. He said: “As we seek to advance an agenda for a resilient Caribbean, it is not only important to shore up existing trade partnerships but to also look to new relationships on the trade and investment front. The world is changing and so must we. “Countries such as Mozambique have been receiving record levels of foreign direct investment. Yet, whilst Asian countries led by China have been rushing to Africa, we have largely lagged behind in terms of pursuing an aggressive trade and investment relationship with Africa.” He noted that while some CARIFORUM countries were already pursuing export activities with Africa, this represents “only a fraction of what can be realised once we make a concerted push to pursue greater relations”. Our changing world presents the Caribbean and Africa with the opportunity to create a better reality for our peoples. Prime Minister Mia Mottley today proposed that the two regions agree to a weekly direct airline flight between Africa and CARICOM, even if the two sides have to help foot the bill. “The only thing that stops us from having a direct air link between Africa and the Caribbean is the will of those of us who continue not to recognise the importance of unlocking 1.4 billion people who have a common ancestry to be able to work with each other,” said Mottley. Pointing to the similarities between the two regions in culture and food, she said these were areas that could also be used to create economic wealth and prosperity. She further suggested the establishment of “a joint African Union/CARICOM mass media platform or a mechanism that facilitates the exchange of news, information and artistic programming and sports”. The possibilities are endless, but what is now required is commitment and resolve from the current leaders. The people of the Caribbean and Africa deserve no less. It is only four hundred years in the making. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Tackle school violence or lose trust, veteran educator warns Education Ministry 18/07/2025 Public transport reliability hits snags amid fleet upgrades 18/07/2025 Educators speak out on tackling emotional toll 17/07/2025