Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has told African and Caribbean leaders that reparations for slavery and colonial exploitation are a matter of justice, not charity.
Speaking at the 2nd Africa–CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa on Sunday, Mr Browne said the historic wealth of the Global North was “built on the backs of enslaved Africans and their descendants” and called for a comprehensive programme of redress.
“This is not about race, creed, or division – it is about justice,” he told the gathering, which brought together heads of state, senior officials and international partners. “Reparations must be rooted in acknowledgement and apology, but extend beyond words to include investments in education, health, technology, climate resilience, and cultural renewal
The Prime Minister argued that reparations should not be seen as a plea for sympathy. Instead, he described them as a corrective measure designed to address systemic inequities that persist in finance, trade and governance.
“Reparations are not a plea for pity. They are a demand for fairness,” he said. “They are the foundation of justice upon which we must build our future.”
Mr Browne’s intervention comes at a time when several Caribbean states, through the CARICOM Reparations Commission, have been pressing Europe for reparatory justice. The issue has gained renewed attention in Africa as well, with some governments voicing support for coordinated demands.
While reparations were a central theme, Mr Browne also urged leaders to overcome what he described as a historic failure to act decisively. Too often, he said, “eloquence in speeches has not been matched by courage in deeds.”
He called on Africa and the Caribbean to choose “unity over fragmentation, action over inertia, and courage over complacency,” stressing that the summit should be remembered as a turning point.
Despite outlining these practical steps, Mr Browne underscored that reparations must remain the moral cornerstone of Africa–Caribbean cooperation.
“Our ancestors endured bondage without choice,” he said. “We, their descendants, now hold the power to choose. Will we remain complacent, waiting for validation from others? Or will we choose courage, charting our own destiny?”
He closed with a vision of Africa and the Caribbean standing “not as victims of history but as architects of the future,” reunited across the Atlantic in dignity, justice and prosperity.
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But it is prime minister Gaston brown that is spearheading reparations for white people by bequeathing upon them white sand beach lands taken from the black natives a tragedy and gun point .
And a Syrian family procuring all government contract fro the government office complex and furnishings and power station contracts.
Is Gaston confused or he just want to dominate rethoric and sound bites for attention.
But it is prime minister Gaston brown that is spearheading reparations for white people by bequeathing upon them white sand beach lands taken from the black natives of Barbuda at tragedy and gun point .
And a Syrian family procuring all government contract fro the government office complex and furnishings and power station contracts.
Is Gaston confused or he just want to dominate rethoric and sound bites for attention.
Ras Gassy is a rastaman from his bones. Always about the slavey matter wherver he land. Bongo Rasta. Liviti Rastafari
Marcus Garvey would be proud. Africa and the Caribbean reconnecting is powerful.
Unity is key all black nations
PM Browne just like Mia and the other Caribbean leaders are very dynamic. Their words however are falling on deaf ears . It means only the leaders of the super voices make international news
When our PM speaks…the whole world have to listen
We are very backward KC Air Peace was a great idea. Its just that our people got a bad taste of what could happen when things are done anyhow. But the whole idea was a good one which indeed we can look at again
Direct connectivity with Africa is a must. This is why I believe we should try the Air Peace thing again
Always a pleasure to see my prime minister on the world stage doing his thing and making us proud. Represent PM
A king is never honored in his own country. But it’s OK. Whenever he is oversee representing Antigua and Barbuda, people listen to him and are impressed with his views. Africa is so divided that I do not see how they will unite with the divided Caribbean. It seems that black people were always easily divided. No wonder slavery was possible to last for hundred of years. And guess what we never fought for our freedom. It was given to us, because it was not lucrative any longer. Only Haiti fought for their freedom and see where they are today.
…Now read this!
…cease and sekkle!
…‘cause, less you forget!
…the religions controlling HUEmans
…’tis, the footing of the problem.
It’s good to see, that Gaston Browne is making the efforts to keep the pan African struggles alive. It’s complicated.
Ras Sam Browne who helped to establish the Suffering Peoples Party in Jamaica in the 1950’s has done some work on seeking reparations for those who were wronged by the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade under the auspices of the Catholic Church, and the Church of England with their Inquisitions.
The church is where the governments MUST approach and taken to the courts to really get to begin making headway with the reparations regarding the transatlantic slave trade.
The Catholic Church has already admitted wrong doings to the [Courts], in particular when it comes to making settlements and payments to victims of SEXUAL and other abuses by many in their Order. Governments can use this precedent to show, that they are criminally responsible for areas of the Transatlantic slave trade; but, the fact that, Governments are in bed and still in cohoots with many religious orders to keep the People mentally RETARTED & DELULU, so that their present shenanigans in the parliaments are not condemned from the pulpits.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏿 Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards