The 2nd Africa–CARICOM Summit has convened African nations, Caribbean states, and the global African diaspora under the theme “Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.” Leaders reaffirmed historic ties between the two regions and committed to advancing unity, economic cooperation, and reparatory justice through a comprehensive partnership framework.
Reclaiming History, Shaping the Future
Opening the summit, His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), stressed that the gathering represents more than diplomacy — it is a transformative effort to turn centuries of exploitation and injustice into opportunities for solidarity and progress. Building on the inaugural 2021 summit, he highlighted initiatives already underway, including the Afreximbank office in the Caribbean, the Afro-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum, and a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the AU and CARICOM. He also urged reforms in the global financial system, greater youth engagement, and united action in multilateral spaces, while expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
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A Caribbean “Homecoming”
CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett described the summit as a “homecoming,” reconnecting peoples divided by oceans, colonialism, and slavery but united by heritage and shared destiny. She emphasized collaboration in health, trade, transport, and investment, citing the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) and strengthened Afreximbank ties as practical outcomes. Reparations, she said, remain a core agenda item, with CARICOM’s Reparations Commission leading efforts to address the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism.
Calls for Justice and Global Reform
United Nations Special Representative to the AU, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, underscored the compounded injustices facing Africa and the Caribbean — both from the transatlantic slave trade and from being excluded when today’s global governance institutions were created. He called for reparatory justice, reforms to the UN Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions, and stronger collective advocacy, noting that the Pact for the Future adopted at the UN General Assembly reflects growing recognition of these demands.
Shared Strengths, Shared Destiny
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali highlighted the “Bridges of Unity” initiative, which links Africa and the Caribbean in agriculture, digital innovation, culture, leadership, and health. He described the partnership as “deliberate, purposeful, and lasting,” pointing to Ethiopia’s philosophy of Medemer — unity through synergy — as a model for collective progress.
Incoming CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, said the summit was both a reunion and a turning point, stressing that “repentance alone is no longer sufficient.” Reparations, he argued, are essential for dismantling systemic inequalities and honoring the memory of enslaved ancestors. With Africa and the Caribbean together representing one-fifth of humanity, he urged both regions to speak with a single voice on the global stage in pursuit of justice, equity, and shared prosperity.
A Historic Turning Point
The summit’s overarching message was clear: Africa and the Caribbean are charting a shared future rooted in solidarity, justice, and opportunity. Leaders committed to advancing reparations, reforming global systems, expanding trade and investment, and empowering youth. By reclaiming a common destiny, they declared, both regions can transform historical injustice into collective strength and enduring progress for generations to come.
