• Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Logo
  • - -
  • Home
  • Logo
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Culture & Life
  • Markets
  • Entrepreneurship
  • World
  • Travel
  • Blogs
    • Columnists
  • Logo
  • Read Later
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Culture & Life
  • Markets
  • Entrepreneurship
  • World
  • Travel
  • Blogs
  • Newsletters
  • African Crosswords
  • About Us
      • Haiti Is Set to Join African Union in June: Gaddafi and Other Panafrican Leaders Would Be Pleased

      • Haiti Is Set to Join African Union in June: Gaddafi and Other Panafrican Leaders Would Be Pleased

        Haiti Is Set to Join African Union in June

      • Share this article

      • Kajuju Murori
        Kajuju Murori
        Thu, May 5, 2016
      • Haiti is set to join the African Union come June. Despite being geographically disconnected with the region Haiti shares some political and cultural ties with Africa and the union could be of mutual benefit to the two.

      • Barely five years since the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed and some of the ideologies he and other Pan-African leaders like Nelson Mandela among others stood for are being actualized; Haiti is set to join the African Union (AU) in June.

        Although the deposed leader who met his death while hiding in a culvert west of Sirte, held some ideologies that did not resonate well with Africa and the rest of the world, he argued and hoped that one day there would be a United States of Africa.

        In his 2009 speech in Tripoli as the AU's new chairman, Col Gaddafi said the United States of Africa could include "Caribbean islands with African populations" such as Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

        Eight years down the line since his speech, Haiti is set to become a member of the AU at the next meeting that will take place in Lilongwe, Malawi this June. When admitted to the regional body, Haiti will be the first nation with no geographical connection to join the continent.

        Despite being miles away and having no geographical ties to Africa, the Caribbean state has some cultural and political links the region.

        Other than the fact that Haiti is a predominantly Black inhabited country, the country also has had to endure decades of disaster, violence and economic challenges just like many other countries in Africa. Haiti gained its independence in 1804 when a group of slaves overtook the French to earn the nation’s freedom. It became the world’s first independent black nation and used this independence and membership to the United Nations to support decolonization in Africa.

        The African love for Haiti came to light, especially when the country was hit by devastating earthquake that killed many Haitians and left tens of thousands more in dire need for basic amenities. The continent pledged $8 million towards Haiti with nations like Senegal offering free land and Haitian students a place at its university.

        At the 2010 AU summit, the Chairperson Jean Ping told Haitians they were free to come back to Africa is they so wanted. “We have an attachment and link to that country. The first Black Republic…that carried high the flame of liberation and freedom for black people and has paid a heavy price in so doing,” said Jean Ping.

        What joining AU means for Haiti

        The country is plagued by instability and violence while its population languishes in nameless misery. The country heavily relies on foreign aid and has been labeled as one of the poorest countries in the world.

        There are several options available for the Caribbean state that will help boost its economy. By joining the AU, the nation could be included in the debt cancellation scheme and benefit from the China-AU investments as Haiti currently attracts very little direct investments.

        The union will also facilitate free trade between Haiti and other members of the African Union.

        The decision to join AU is Haiti’s journey to recovery after the earthquake that took the country’s economic strides backwards.

        Gaddafi also envisaged a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for Africans to move freely around the continent. Although his ideologies are yet to become a reality, Africa will in time get to a place where travelling from one country to another will be made easier especially with the Agenda 2063.

        For Africa to achieve the African Union’s vision there is a need for “an Integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”, significantly more action is still required on a number of fronts.

      • Development African Economy Leadership Regional Integration Haiti
      • Share this article

        • Are you impressed, have any concerns, or think we can improve this article? Comment below or email us.

      • Comments

      • Follow us for more up to date news and articles

      • More from Politics

        • 'The Sellouts Are Here, Mama,' Says Julius Malema At Winnie-Madikizela Mandela's Funeral
          • "The Sellouts Are Here, Mama," Says Julius Malema At Winnie-Madikizela Mandela's Funeral
          • EFF leader Julius Malema went on a rampage and blasted ANC leaders for...

          • Sun, Apr 15, 2018

        • Nigeria's President Buhari Breaks His Promise, Plans To Stay In Office Till He Turns 79
          • Nigeria's President Buhari Breaks His Promise, Plans To Stay In Office Till He Turns 79
          • President Buhari has declared his intention to run for a second term i...

          • Tue, Apr 10, 2018

        • Winnie Mandela: The One Woman Army Imperialists Demonised
          • Winnie Mandela: The One Woman Army Imperialists Demonised
          • Only real reforms can now honour the Mother of South Africa. Winnie Ma...

          • Sat, Apr 14, 2018

        • King Mswati III Renames Swaziland To Kingdom of eSwatini - Real Pan-Africanism Or Not?
          • King Mswati III Renames Swaziland To Kingdom of eSwatini - Real Pan-Africanism Or Not?
          • King Mswati III changed the name of his country to the Kingdom of eSwa...

          • Sat, Apr 21, 2018

    • Related Stories

      • The 6 Fastest Growing Economies in Africa, 2018
        • The 6 Fastest Growing Economies in Africa, 2018
        • The World Bank forecasts growth of 3.2% for the year, up from 2.4% in ...

        • Sun, Jul 12, 2015

      • Muammar Gaddafi and The United States of Africa
        • Muammar Gaddafi and The United States of Africa
        • Whoever killed the Colonel also killed off the prospects of a United S...

        • Wed, Mar 9, 2016

      • The Most Livable Cities in Africa
        • The Most Livable Cities in Africa
        • Despite the stereotype impression people have about Africa, as a place...

        • Mon, Oct 31, 2016

      • How Ukulima Tech Has Revolutionized Farming for Urban Residents in Kenya
        • How Ukulima Tech Has Revolutionized Farming for Urban Residents in Kenya
        • Urban farming in Nairobi and its environs has been made easier, and mo...

        • Thu, Apr 21, 2016

      • 5 African Infrastructural Mega-Projects You Need to Know
        • 5 African Infrastructural Mega-Projects You Need to Know
        • Will these large investments pay-off, or are they illconcieved?

        • Fri, Dec 23, 2016

    • Popular right now

      • Breast Ironing: The Violent, Archaic Cultural Practice Done For The 'Good Of The Girls'
        • Breast Ironing: The Violent, Archaic Cultural Practice Done For The "Good Of The Girls"
        • Breast ironing is a traditional practice that involves the use hard or...

        • Wed, Apr 18, 2018

      • The Top Ten Countries For Investing In Africa
        • The Top Ten Countries For Investing In Africa
        • Significant improvements have been made by countries such as Tanzania,...

        • Sun, Apr 15, 2018

      • The Cheapest Countries To Live or Retire in Africa, 2018
        • The Cheapest Countries To Live or Retire in Africa, 2018
        • GoBankRates made a list of the cheapest countries in the world to live...

        • Thu, Apr 19, 2018

      • Africa's Growing Debt Levels Cause For Concern: Countries With The Biggest Debts in Africa
        • Africa's Growing Debt Levels Cause For Concern: Countries With The Biggest Debts in Africa
        • The African debt crisis may be grave than we can imagine. It could ser...

        • Tue, Apr 17, 2018

      • 'The Sellouts Are Here, Mama,' Says Julius Malema At Winnie-Madikizela Mandela's Funeral
        • "The Sellouts Are Here, Mama," Says Julius Malema At Winnie-Madikizela Mandela's Funeral
        • EFF leader Julius Malema went on a rampage and blasted ANC leaders for...

        • Sun, Apr 15, 2018

    • Most Read

      • 1.

        Breast Ironing: The Violent, Archaic Cultural Practice Done For The "Good Of The Girls"

        Breast Ironing: The Violent, Archaic Cultural Practice Done For The 'Good Of The Girls'
      • 2.

        The Top Ten Countries For Investing In Africa

        The Top Ten Countries For Investing In Africa
      • 3.

        The Cheapest Countries To Live or Retire in Africa, 2018

        The Cheapest Countries To Live or Retire in Africa, 2018
      • 4.

        Africa's Growing Debt Levels Cause For Concern: Countries With The Biggest Debts in Africa

        Africa's Growing Debt Levels Cause For Concern: Countries With The Biggest Debts in Africa
      • 5.

        "The Sellouts Are Here, Mama," Says Julius Malema At Winnie-Madikizela Mandela's Funeral

        'The Sellouts Are Here, Mama,' Says Julius Malema At Winnie-Madikizela Mandela's Funeral
    • Read Later
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Technology
    • Business
    • Culture & Life
    • Markets
    • Entrepreneurship
    • World
    • Travel
    • Blogs
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Newsletters
    • African Crosswords
    • My Account
    • Sign In
    • Register
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Copyright © 2018 The African Exponent. All rights reserved.