I have always been wary of the justice system that is supposed to protect all of us equally but does not. We often used the words Justice is blind. Unfortunately, it too often depends on what side of the fence you are standing or might I say sitting.
I am sure that many of you have heard about the Berlin Conference. For some of you who have not heard about it, let me quote” The Berlin conference can be best understood as the formalization of the Scramble for Africa. The British coined the term since 1884, and it has since been used to describe the twenty-plus years when the various European countries explored, divided, conquered and began to exploit virtually the entire African continent. European powers were slow to realize the benefits of claiming land in Africa and had mainly kept to coastal colonies. However, in 1884-5 the Scramble for Africa had truly began in earnest when thirteen European countries and the United States met in Berlin to agree to the rules dividing Africa. The outcome of the conference was the General Act of the Berlin Conference” end of quote.
Can you imagine that to date, the continent of Africa is still divided? Can you imagine you need a visa to cross the border from one African country to the other? The European union consisting of many countries don’t require visas to cross the borders? In the United States of America, one does not require a visa to cross from one state to the next? Is this justice? But remember who decided, the then colonial powers. Have you ever heard about the pact for the continuation of colonization? Or best known as the French colonial tax. Guinea had refused the tax and what France did was to destroy its entire infrastructure, claiming that they (France)are the ones who developed the country.
To contradict and refute this statement let me quote the following statements; In March 2008 former President Jacques Chirac said: “Without Africa, France will slide down to the ranks of a third (world) power. Chirac’s predecessor France Mitterand already prophesied in 1957 that; “without Africa France will have no history in the 21st century” end of quote. The colonial tax consisted of 11 components that were imposed on some 14 African countries in order to get their independence.
Do you know that they are paying 85% of their foreign reserve into France Central Bank under the control of the French Minister of Finance? France has been holding the national reserves of these fourteen African countries since 1961: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Let me quote, “African leaders who refused are killed or victim of a coup. Those who obey are supported and rewarded by France with lavish lifestyle while their people endure extreme poverty” end of quote. Listen to another quote; “It’s such an evil system even denounced by the European Union, but France is not ready to move from the colonial system which puts about 500 billion dollars from Africa into its treasury each year” end of quote.
The European denounces the system? Don’t insult the intelligence of the people. How can those who are authors of the system denounce it? Something that caught my attention also is the following statement and I quote” The CFA central banks also imposed a cap on credit extended to each member country equivalent to 20% of that country’s public revenue in the preceding year (It brings to mind the CFT agreement). But can you imagine the countries can only access 15% of their money in any given year. Remember the money belongs to the African countries but they can only borrow 15%. If they need to borrow 20% of their own money France has a veto right. Some might ask the question what has this to do with us on St. Maarten/St Martin? My response it has everything to do with us.
We are divided period and based on colonial dogma; they do whatever they want with whom and when. The injustice continues. Our hope is that the sleeping giant call Africa awakens from her sleep and recognizes her power and potential. In closing let us remember our African brothers and sisters on the island of Haiti who paid 21 billion dollars for 150 years beginning 1847 until to recompense the French. Can you imagine the idiocity?
If the 55 African leaders can unite as one Africa and tear down the walls of division, we will see the greatness of Africa and it will spread throughout the entire world. As someone said and I paraphrase, “How can the richest country in the entire world be called the poorest? Let me say this, “It is time that we get rid of the colonial educational system and institute one that tells our true story of who we are not were as a people from Africa. There will be critics who will say that they are not Africans to them, “no we are not, we are just a bunch of black people whose forefathers were brought across the Atlantic Ocean and enslaved physically for over 400 years and now still enslaved mentally.
Lack of knowledge is the true enemy. Because our history did not start with slavery.
