FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: rastafarialliance4solidarity@hotmail.com
African Union Chairman Reaffirms Organization's Commitment to African Diaspora
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Oct 27, 2005 - Last week Mr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime
Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, arrived in Ethiopia with a
delegation, including four key individuals of the Rastafari faith Nyahbinghi
House, with the intent of signing bilateral agreements for travel between the
two countries without visas. During this time, Prime Minister Gonsalves held a
fruitful meeting with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and visited the
pioneer community of Rastafari in Shashamane. On Friday, October 21st, in
Addis Ababa, Mr. Gonsalves held an historic meeting with His Excellency
Professor Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairman of the African Union, for the purpose of
strengthening political, economic, social and cultural ties between the
Caribbean and Africa.
Professor Konare expressed the various challenges which face the continent but
remained confident that goals could be attained; especially with the support of
the African Diaspora. He stated, "We shall be stronger when we are united."
Prime Minister Gonsalves agreed with the Chairman stating, "I share the
strategic perspective of the African Union." Chairman Konare also expressed
the importance of exchange in the areas of education, culture and sports.
Gonsalves supported the Chairman's sentiments and spoke of his own efforts to
facilitate direct air links between the Caribbean and Africa, provide
scholarships for Ethiopian students in St. Vincent, as well as strengthen
economic opportunities between the Caribbean Community and Common Market
(CARICOM) and Africa.
Chairman Konare also recognized former Managing Director of the Bob Marley
Foundation Dr. Desta Meghoo - Peddie who facilitated this meeting on behalf of
the African Union's Diaspora Africa Forum as well as a committee of volunteer
Rastafarians whose goal is to facilitate communication and support for the
African Union as it relates to African development through repatriation. The
Chairman referred to the great success of the 2005 Africa Unite celebration,
which took place in Addis Ababa and was supported by the AU, as an example of
cooperative African effort. Chairman Konare expressed the need for galvanizing
events, such as African Liberation Day, to be celebrated around the world. Dr.
Meghoo - Peddie responded to this timely call to action by stating that the,
"The Chairman's sentiments are refreshing to us as we Rastafarians have
celebrated May 25th for decades throughout the Diaspora. I am thankful and
inspired by his passion for Africa and the African Union's commitment to
African Diasporans. I am also thankful for Dr. Adisa's efforts to ensure this
meeting of minds could take place." She further explained, "This was an
opportunity that could not be missed and needed to be placed in the broader
context of African Diasporan relations, hence the meeting was called. We are
working for the day when all Africans at home and abroad can travel freely
within and to Africa. The bilateral visa agreement is the first step for
CARICOM and African nations towards that goal."
Dr. Jinmi Adisa is the head of the African Union's Economic, Social, and
Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), also known as the people's parliament of the AU;
which will ensure civil society involvement in helping to shape African
policies. Dr. Adisa continues to express the African Union's "disposition to
work closely with people of African descent and origin towards strengthening
relations and linkages." ECOSOCC has recently agreed to provide 20 seats to
various Diasporan organizations. Both Chairman Konare and Prime Minister
Gonsalves closed the meeting with renewed commitment to enhanced engagements
between CARICOM and the AU. In the spirit of such cooperative efforts, the
Chairman and Prime Minister spoke of the contributions of great Pan-Africans
such as Marcus Mosiah Garvey and Rastafari Bob Marley.
For information contact: rastafarialliance4solidarity@hotmail.com
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