Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

April 16, 2025 – New York, USA – CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett has issued a renewed call for reparatory justice for Haiti, describing it as a central focus of the region’s reparations campaign. Speaking at the Fourth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, Dr. Barnett highlighted the historical and ongoing injustices stemming from the 1825 indemnity France imposed on Haiti.

“April 2025 marks 200 years since France demanded 150 million Francs from Haiti as reparations for lost property, including enslaved Africans,” Dr. Barnett stated. “This precondition for recognising Haitian independence has had lasting economic and social consequences that still impact Haiti today.”

She praised the Forum for spotlighting Haiti during its closing session, framing the bicentenary as a chance to raise global awareness and push for action to address Haiti’s ongoing crises in security, governance, and humanitarian needs.

“Given the insightful conclusions and recommendations from the previous Sessions, and the transformative agenda which it has been promoting within the framework of the United Nations, we support the call for greater resources for the Permanent Forum to continue to effectively address its important agenda.

Systemic inequality, racial discrimination, and reparatory justice for the global African community continue to be priority areas to be addressed during the Second Decade.”

Dr. Barnett also addressed the broader reparations agenda, commending the partnership between CARICOM and the African Union. She emphasized shared priorities including economic, digital, and racial justice, particularly in the context of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, she warned of deepening inequities that could leave people of African descent behind. “We must invest in digital literacy and innovation to ensure fair access and inclusive development,” she urged.

Highlighting upcoming initiatives, Dr. Barnett expressed anticipation for the Second CARICOM-AU Summit in Ethiopia this September, as both regions work toward a common vision of justice and prosperity.

“The call for reparatory justice is not just about the past—it’s a call for equitable development, recognition, and repair,” she concluded.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

April 4, 2025 – Thirteen months since armed gangs stormed the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in protest of the then Prime Minister and the situation has spawned a dangerous set of crises for Haiti.  Today, the World Food Programme says it is facing a funding gap of $54 Million in the mission to stem the escalating level of food insecurity; a challenge compounded by gang insurgencies into new communities outside of Port-au-Prince.

In the latest wave of violence, 500 inmates were set free from a prison in the Centre Department of Haiti, an area which flanks the country’s border with the Dominican Republic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            An attack in Mirebalais was blamed for the prisoner escape and is the painful result of failures to contain the gang-fuelled violence.  The UN reports that in the first three months of this year, the number of displaced people has rocketed by 15,000.                                                                                                                                                                                                   “…this weekend’s attack in Mirebalais in Haiti, which reportedly resulted in the escape of more than 500 detainees from a local prison, has also led to – according to OCHA – widespread looting and the burning of homes, schools, and churches.

This incident highlights how gang activity is expanding beyond the Ouest Department, where Port-au-Prince is located.”

The attack was condemned by the Secretary General, who also called on Haitian authorities, stakeholders and the international community to redouble efforts in the Republic.

“Displacement there has steadily increased since January from 170,000 people to 185,000 people at the end of March, according to the IOM. Thousands of displaced people are now sheltering in makeshift sites, including schools and public buildings.

We and our partners continue to monitor the situation, assess the needs and support humanitarian response when security permits.”

But it seems a futile fight.  The World Food Programme says it is running out of money and running out of time, as victims caught in the web of the gangs are trapped without anyway to access they help they are offering.

“…in Port-au-Prince, the insecurity, the protests and the roadblocks have all impeded movement and disrupted the delivery of food assistance, but WFP is continuing to push forward on operations to provide assistance to 25,000 people facing emergency levels of food insecurity. These people, who live in areas controlled by armed groups, are largely cut off from the rest of the country.”

The updates were furnished to media this week by the United Nations, with horrifying figures and circumstances for more than half the 11.6 million people who call Haiti their home.                                                                                                          So much appears to be hinged on restoring democratically elected leadership in the Republic, but there are far more pressing concerns and the more immediate attention has shifted again to the Haitian National Police (HNP).                                                                                                                                              A need to ensure the HNP is equipped through the Multinational Security Support with the resources, logistical data and personnel to, as Andrew Holness, Jamaican Prime Minister put it, “take down the gangs.”

“Yesterday, WFP was able to provide hot meals to 2,000 of the 6,000 people displaced. Today, WFP is telling us they are expanding that assistance. This operation is part of the country-wide efforts, which have seen WFP and partners provide more than 100,000 hot meals to 15,000 newly displaced people in the past week alone.

Typically, newly displaced people are initially offered hot meals and then transitioned to cash assistance, pending available funding.”

Half of Haitians do not have enough food to eat.

It was March 4, 2024 that the gangs highjacked authority in Haiti; it is estimated that 5,600 have been murdered including two members of the Kenyan Police Force.

April 4, 2025 – Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, former Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, assumed office as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth yesterday, pledging to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter at a time of growing global tensions and shifting alliances.

Botchwey succeeds Patricia Scotland, whose nine-year term ended in March. She is the first African woman – the second African overall – to lead the association of 56 countries, which make up a third of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the United Nations membership.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London on 1 April 2025, the Secretary-General acknowledged the scale of the challenges confronting the world.

She said:

“The world we woke up to today is unlike any we have seen in our lifetimes. The consequences of lower economic growth, increased defence expenditures, and a frayed multilateralism will affect our pockets directly, increase unemployment and poverty, reduce social protection and weaken our resilience to shocks.

“The value of our Commonwealth stands in bold relief, in a time like this. For over 75 years, the Commonwealth has been a unique and powerful force for good. Now we must seize the moment to realise the transformation our societies seek.”

The Secretary-General highlighted the power of Commonwealth unity in uncertain times. “The challenges we face are real and serious,” she said, “but together we are more than equal to them.”

Drawing on Commonwealth values, Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey added: “Sustained by the values that bind us – democracy, good governance, peace, human rights, and equal opportunity – we will build a future in which dignity, opportunity, and prosperity are within reach for all.”

A Commonwealth built on all talents

The Secretary-General outlined three strategic priorities for her leadership, calling them the foundation for a “Commonwealth built on all talents”.

First, she pledged to equip women and young people with the skills, tools and opportunities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Second, the Secretary-General vowed to revitalise trade, investment and connectivity across the Commonwealth, describing it as a pathway to industrial development, productivity and inclusive growth. No country, she stressed, should be left behind, regardless of its size or income level.

Third, calling climate change “the greatest challenge of our time,” she pledged to mobilise stronger action and advocate for reforms of the international financial system to help small and other vulnerable Commonwealth states access the support they need.

The Secretary-General also committed to accelerating the Commonwealth’s modernisation by delivering faster and smarter partnerships to meet the needs of all its people.

Reflecting on her own historic journey, she said: “It is a great honour to be the first African woman to serve as Secretary-General. No matter where in the Commonwealth you come from, this path is open to you.”

The Secretary-General concluded her address with a message of shared resolve, adding: “Let’s move forward with purpose, with courage, and with an unshakable commitment to a Commonwealth that truly thrives together.”

Born in Accra, Shirley Botchwey was appointed by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa on 25 October 2024.

Watch Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey’s Arrival Message

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