The president of Rwanda says it’s far past time for the continent of Africa and Caribbean nations to mobilize and implement stronger, more concerted efforts to address the collective challenges between both regions.
While making his first visit to Trinidad and Tobago, President Paul Kagame said the African Union and the nation-states that are part of CARICOM, also known as the Caribbean Community, should “come together in real terms” and move “beyond declarations of intent” to hammer away at their shared interests.
Kagame pointed to the regions’ closely-linked histories and that their mutual geopolitical difficulties should accelerate more integrative action.
“In our diversity, we share common traits. Our people are resilient, creative and, as our common history shows, also indestructible. This mutual recognition should have practical, tangible effects. We belong to a number of important multilateral bodies, including the Commonwealth and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States,” Kagame told legislators at the 45th Annual Caribbean Community Conference.
Also part of his July 5 remarks was a sharp focus on advancing global health and climate change initiatives as well as initiating more inclusive borrowing efforts to avoid soliciting aid from larger, more developed nations.
“Countries like ours can’t print money when we face a crisis. We have to borrow. Yet some of us are no longer eligible for concessional interest rates. Tools like the United Nations Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, and the Commonwealth’s Universal Vulnerability Index, reveal the special needs of small island developing states,” Kagame explained.
“In Africa, we have countries such as Seychelles, which I have just had the opportunity to visit, with similar climate financing difficulties as you face in the Caribbean. We can work together to advocate for a more responsive and inclusive international financial…
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