Find paths to reconnect with our brothers in the Caribbean

At the recent historic meeting of world leaders on African renaissance as part of celebrations to mark the 400th Anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, President Uhuru Kenyatta called the African Diaspora “the sixth region of the African Union.”

President Kenyatta called on the leaders of the continent to reach out to those with African ancestry, particularly in the Caribbean, North and South America. 

It is estimated that between 12 and 15 million African slaves were shipped to the Americas. Out of this number, more than four million reportedly died on the high seas.

“We are one and must find paths to reconnect and reengage with one another,” he said.

Thus, Uhuru laid down the baton to hundreds of millions of people around the world who share familial, historic and cultural ties to reconnect with each other on a global scale, which can provide a massive boost for all.

The Jewish, Indian, Chinese and Greek people have been particularly good at reaching out to their global diasporas and keeping them fully connected with their ancestral homelands, whether through culture, language or physical visits.

It is time that the African people took a leaf out of their books and mobilised what could conceivably be the largest and most geographically diverse diaspora in the world.

There are Africans in every corner of the world and unfortunately far too few identify themselves with their ancestral continent and lands other than in terminology and identity.

We have all heard of the term African-American, but what does the first word mean for those for whom it is used or to those it is applied? How many African-Americans know anything about Africa? Do they know where they came from? Do they know their former tribe, land, culture or language?

Ethical necessity

Unfortunately, this identity was ripped from them over the centuries of the accursed Slave Trade when not only a person was ripped from Africa, but their African character was forcibly and brutally wiped out as well. Today, there is sadly very little of African culture in African-American culture.

This should be changed if we are going to rectify even a small part of this great historic injustice. Moreover, beyond the moral and ethical necessity of reconnecting with our continent’s lost sons and daughters, there are massive economic, diplomatic, political and educational benefits.

So, it is about time that someone on our continent started thinking bigger, both in time and space. Thankfully, Uhuru has led the charge.

President Kenyatta called for practical steps and the full engagement of the AU Commission to ensure workable and clear programs are put in place to actualize the new initiative.

The President further called for the initiative to be embedded in the legal and institutional frameworks of respective African states and the AUC.

President Kenyatta called for unity of purpose among Africans to succeed and ensure the continent retains its current status as a new frontier of global economic growth and prosperity.

“We who are alive today are the ancestors of those yet to be born. They will commune with us, just like we can prayerfully reach back to those who survived the Middle Passage.

We need, therefore, to think like ancestors so that we can shape a bright future for our descendants,” he said.

Primary focus

“For this upward surge to be sustained for generations to come demands that we be united,” Uhuru said

He appealed to the diaspora population to fully participate in the new revival and revitalisation of Africa. We have to make this initiative a primary focus at the AU and a priority for our continent. President Kenyatta has set before us an enormous momentous task and we dare not shirk it. Africa should not just be united, it should be open and engaging with its stolen children across the world.

About 400 years ago our people were forcefully disconnected, son from father, daughter from mother and husband from wife. Just as importantly, children from their homes, lands and continent.

It is time to reconnect our people in any way they choose fit. We should not choose any particular path for them except to leave our hands and arms open in a warm embrace to our brothers and sisters overseas.

Mr Kenyatta has become the first leader to reach his hand across the seas that our people were forced upon many centuries ago.

We hope that it will be received and we can all work together to enhance these relationships for the betterment of our continent and all of us, regardless of where we now live or the tongue we now use.

Mr Temba is a Communications Consultant