Yesterday we learnt that the first batch of 400 of the long-awaited 1000 troops from Kenya was finally flown into Haiti – on the US-sponsored initiative to bring some degree of normalcy to that troubled country. Cry the beloved country!! Haiti, of course, is a member of Caricom, and maybe you’re asking how come none of our worthies – who’re always carrying on about the seminal role Haiti has played in world history – has stepped up to the crease to bat for them? Well, to be accurate, three members – Jamaica, Bahamas and Barbados – have committed to providing some boots on the ground towards what’s eventually supposed to be a 2500-member force.
As to how many they’ll eventually provide hasn’t been made public, but your Eyewitness knows that – even though the US has been twisting a lot of arms – it ain’t gonna be plenty. Maybe Chad and Bangladesh – who’re also committed to sending some warm bodies – might pick up the slack? We’ll see…but your Eyewitness is a sceptic.
Why, you ask, dear reader?? Well, for the same reason why other countries – even other members of Caricom – have baulked, even though they’d love to have Haiti get some peace. But THAT reason is complicated.
Fact of the matter is: because Haiti defeated one of the largest European empires – the French under Napoleon – to gain its freedom, it wasn’t able to enjoy that freedom through the machinations of the US and France. They imposed huge reparations for France for its “losses”, that Haiti wasn’t able to repay until a few years back!! And guess who enforced the payments? That’s right…the good, ole US of A!! And during that time, they allowed a series of murderous and venal dictators to rape the Haitian people some mo’!
For the above reasons, US troops aren’t considered too favourably in Haiti – especially because when democracy was finally instituted in 1990, the Yanks still kept their fingers in the pie. In the present, the capital’s been overrun by gangs who’d banded together against the imposed Prime Minister Ariel Henry. He’d just secured a deal to deploy a Kenyan-led international police force, but wasn’t allowed to land. He’s since handed power over to a collegial Transitional National Council, but the gangs have extended their chokehold, hence the need for SOME troops to take them on. Not the UN: their troops, in the ‘90s, had to leave in disgrace – after spreading cholera!!
So, what’s the US – which considers the Caribbean its “pond” – to do and not get (more) bad name?? Well, get “Pan-African” troops to come in to save some brothers and sisters!! And this is where Black Kenya comes in!!
Ain’t world politics fun??
…revisit the past??
Your Eyewitness believes we gotta learn from past mistakes. In this vein, he cites the Goals of the African Business Roundtable (ABR) founded in 2016: “The sustainable development of Guyana’s economy; The economic revitalisation of African villages in Guyana; The nurturing of African entrepreneurship, especially among youth; The establishment of partnerships for sustainable growth; The establishment of business linkages with African-Guyanese businesses in the diaspora, and the hosting of business expos from time to time. So wha’ happened?
Caribbean trade linkages have been forged by the PPP Govt with the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. So, have the African-Guyanese businesses in the ABR been nurturing of south-south trade linkages, say, with Africa on the US$1.5 billion Afreximbank credit facility?? Then, on the fostering of joint ventures with other ethnic and business groups in Guyana, has the ABR been working with PSC, the GCCI and the GMSA to build bridges? Finally, the provision of think tank position papers, incubator and business services to the Guyanese community in partnership with other groups and stakeholders; the development of competitive, sustainable, job-creating African businesses across Guyana and in the diaspora”?
Wow…they’ve been so successful!!
…achievements
Whatever happened to the ABR’s “A full-service banking licence; Nurturing of an Association of African-Guyanese Construction Companies which meets at the headquarters weekly”??
