The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) extends condolences to the families, friends and associates of the 16 Cameroonian citizens believed to have drowned off the coast of St. Kitts as they risked life and limb in search of a life better than what seemingly they endured in their homeland.
The tragic outcome of this ill-fated journey raises more questions than answers. The allegations surrounding this tragedy and the purported involvement of the government of Antigua and Barbuda dating back to the arrival of hundreds of Africans on November 1, 2022 aboard the now defunct Antigua Airways are very serious and troubling.
From the outset, it was evident to ordinary citizens and residents, if not to those in authority, that the majority of passengers aboard the inaugural and subsequent flights were not tourists notwithstanding the utterances and protestations of Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, and Ministers Paul Chet Green and Charles “Max” Fernandez.
President of the DNA, Joanne Massiah, opined “the efforts of the Gaston Browne Administration to minimize and politicize this diplomatic world wind has not fooled thoughtful and right-thinking persons. The government’s involvement in what can be concluded as gross violations of several UN Protocols of which Antigua and Barbuda is a signatory will undoubtedly have negative regional and international fallout for our country for the foreseeable future.”
Despite the lack of transparency and consultation regarding the government’s involvement in the ownership structure of the airline, and obvious red flags which the government appeared to have deliberately ignored, these flights were arranged.
These reasons, coupled with the apparent willful turning of the proverbial blind eye by the government, have caused the DNA to ponder what perceived economic benefits did the Cabinet anticipate would redound to our country given that the majority of the passengers are alleged to have originated from conflict zones.
In light of the gravity of the circumstances and the multiplicity of unanswered questions, the DNA believes that nothing short of a full, independent fact-finding inquiry is acceptable.
Further, given that the Gaston Browne Administration has been at the center of this issue and may have facilitated – whether wittingly or “unwittingly” – alleged people smuggling and/or human trafficking disqualifies them from being capable of conducting such an inquiry.
Therefore, the DNA calls on the Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, to convene a team of well-respected regional and international bodies to carry out this urgently needed investigation.
Massiah concluded, “our African brothers and sisters, the families of those who perished at sea and ALL Antiguans and Barbudans deserve to know the truth surrounding this tragedy and the circumstances of the passengers’ travel to our country. Those who are responsible must be brought to justice.”
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CHUpZZZZ….. investigate what. They choose to leave on a boat and the knew the risk. Let St.Kitts deal with the captains and send the africans back to antigua, is my opinion…. the Antigian Airways is what we need investigated
Exactly !!!!
God Grant Us the Serenity
To Accept The FRANKENSTINE
MIMED Minds we CREATE
The COURAGE to CHANGE
What we Can..
WISDOM to Remain INdifferent!!
LETS Rekindle Past Roots DAYS..
SINCE we are the FRUITS
The RAPTURE of OUR People
MYTH ooooorrr TRUTH
Captured Cargoed (Camerooned) Commercial GAIN….
* Ragtime! RAWTIME. RASTIME
Real-time Timeline
WOULD YOU BE SAYING THAT IF YOUR SISTER ,BROTHER OR YOUR CHILD WAS ON THE BOAT. YOU ARE SO SO HEARTLESS, BUT YOUR DAY WILL COME
DNA only speaks after others have. It took them a week, no wonder you are so weak. Convince Louis Rivera that such an investigation is warranted.
There are 54 Countries recognized by the United Nations on the Continent known as Africa. If things are so wonderful in those Countries as many of you are saying. Why are Africans as a whole traversing on the high seas in unsafe boats to get to Countries in Europe? Many have been hurt and drowned in that attempt. This matter in Antigua should not be swept under the rug. It should not become a nine days talk. Keep the pressure on the Administration and the Governor General.
My people, the government has embarked on a tactic making it appear that we as a people are not welcoming to Africans and that we have embraced other nationalities. Dont be fooled by their tactic. Let them know that we continue to embrace every nationality what we have issues with is people being TRAFFICKED HERE THAT IS THE ISSUE.
I heard Ever Green today and I almost vomit to hear her spin on this issue. I wonder if these people rest well at night,
I heard Trevor Young on Pointe FM radio station a few days ago and he had the world to say about how the U.P.P. does not love Africans etc…….
I wonder if he feels the same way about his Political Party in light of this press release.
Talk up Trevor Young. We want to hear what is your position with your party press release.
AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY…
One question to all of the pseudo Africans living in Antigua, who’re so loving to these Africans caught up in the Antigua Airways SCAM, how many of you celebrate or even support AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY?
How many schools(kindergarten to college) in Antigua & Barbuda have courses in African History?
Since the ABLP is the Ruling Arm of the Government, they should make AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY a National Holiday, and really celebrate and educate Africa and the Africans.
As Preacher Bob Marley says,
‘Hypocrites and parasites, will come out(show up) and take a bite(photo ops and politically correct speeches), yet if night should turn to day, a lot of them would run away…who the 🧢👒cap fit, mek them wear it.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg_Foot Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
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