…with Africa
Well, folks, that day is finally here!! Today’s the Africa-Caricom summit where, as the African Union – representing all 55 countries of the continent lumped in five groups – will be talking, as your Eyewitness said yesterday, with Caricom as their “sixth group”. It’s all happening virtually, but what else is new…nowadays everything is virtual, even marriages!! So you can tune in and listen about what’s going to be done to achieve the objectives: “greater economic trade and investment opportunities; and solidarity in actions to address global challenges, including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
But in life, there are always contingencies to look out: sh*t happens!! And just when your Eyewitness thought everything was all clear on the agenda, up came news last night that there’s been a military coup in the West African nation of Guinea!! This followed bitterly-disputed elections in which the Government of the day rigged like crazy and was allowed to get away with it. In addition, rubbing salt into the wound, the President had diddled with the Constitution to allow him to run – and then give himself – a third term!!
It was all too much and for a lot of people and the country’s elite commando force — along with elements of the presidential guard – seized the President and announced they’d be forming a new government in a few weeks. So, here we go again with coups and counter- coups in Africa! Because the same thing happened recently over in Ivory Coast and Mali So THIS should be the topic on the African Union-Caricom meeting. Otherwise, all the best-laid plans will “go awry”!!
And this is where our own Mia Mottley can take the initiative. She was involved right here in Caricom last year when she was the Chair and the PNC tried to rig the elections to stage a constructive coup – as they’d done for 28 years back in the day. She took the lead and in no uncertain terms asserted that the Caribbean would NOT be allowed to revert to the days of illegal and dictatorial governments.
In addition to the African Union, Guinea is one of the 15 members of the “Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)” – similar to Caricom but with heavyweights like Nigeria and Ghana. While France, the ex-colonial power, has indicated displeasure in the regression of governance structures, Africa has to take a lead in sorting out its challenges. For sure we know that the Lt Colonel who’s taken over in Guinea and promised a new constitution, etc, will soon ensconce himself as a new (illegal) leader who wasn’t elected by the people.
A line must be drawn by the Diaspora.
…the COVID-19 responsibilities
One of the idiosyncrasies of the modern age is the total focus on the RIGHTS of individuals…it’s foundational to the entire civilisation. And if one were to even suggest that rights aren’t the alpha and omega of human existence, you might be drawn and quartered for like you’re denying the sanctity of motherhood!! Your Eyewitness, however, is old school and was taught to accept that with every right comes an obligation!! They are two sides of the same coin and CANNOT be sundered!!
Take this emphasis of the Opposition on the RIGHT of their supporters to refuse the COVID-19 vaccines. Well….maybe so. But since this is a PUBLIC HEALTH emergency, don’t these same Opposition politicians and their supporters have an obligation to the PUBLIC – of which they’re
a part?? But the most ironic turn of events is that the Government’s being pilloried for being “dictatorial” – simply for doing their DUTY to safeguard the health and welfare of the population!!
Shouldn’t science be the arbiter?
…technology
Your Eyewitness was pleased to learn that GuySuCo has asked the army to borrow the five drones – which Ramjattan bought for $30 million each – to spray pesticides, etc, on their sugar cane.
Guess the drug routes are being otherwise monitored?
