ADDIS ABABA (Bantu Gazette) – Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley delivered a powerful speech to African leaders on Saturday, urging unity and stronger cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.

She emphasized the importance of overcoming historical divisions and working together to address global challenges such as climate change and economic inequality.

Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mottley urged leaders to take collective action for a better future.

“Let us act in unity, for it is only together that we can forge a brighter future for our people,” she urged.

Reclaiming the Atlantic Destiny

Mottley stressed the need for Africa and the Caribbean to embrace their shared history and collective future.

She said it is time “to reclaim our Atlantic destiny. It is up to us to determine whether the history of separation shall be our future or whether the spirit of Adwa can be our inspiration.”

“If being a naïve and romantic daughter of Africa is the price for believing in unity, then I willingly embrace that role,” she added.

Mottley highlighted the vulnerability of the world’s poorest populations to natural disasters, underscoring the urgent need for joint action.

“It is the poorest of the poor who remain the most vulnerable to floods, droughts, and hurricanes. We must confront this existential crisis together,” she said.

Call for Reparations and Global Representation

Mottley also called for reparations for historical injustices and for greater African representation in international institutions.

“We must frame a mature conversation about what reparations should look like,” she said.

“We have to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery and build the future that our people want of us, in the spirit and with the results of Adwa.”

The Battle of Adwa, fought on March 1, 1896, in north-central Ethiopia, was a decisive military clash between the Ethiopian army, led by Emperor Menilek II, and Italian forces. Ethiopia’s victory halted Italy’s attempt to expand its empire in Africa and also marked the first crushing defeat of a European power by an African army during the colonial era.

Her speech was applauded by African leaders, who welcomed her call for unity and cooperation.

“How does a continent that holds 40 percent of the world’s minerals not take charge of securing the destiny and stability of the planet?” she questioned.

Many African leaders also supported her push for reparations and increased African influence in global decision-making.

Strengthening Historical Ties

Mottley’s speech was a reminder of the deep historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean. Both regions share a legacy of colonization and slavery and continue to face similar challenges today, including poverty, inequality, and climate change.

The Barbados Prime Minister emphasized that unity and cooperation are essential for overcoming these challenges and building a brighter future.

“We have the power to shape our future,” she concluded. “Let us remove the shackles of history and become the architects of our destiny.”

Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation. Its capital, Bridgetown, is a cruise-ship port known for colonial-era buildings and Nidhe Israel, a synagogue founded in 1654.

The island features beaches, botanical gardens, the Harrison’s Cave formation, and 17th-century plantation houses like St. Nicholas Abbey. Local traditions include afternoon tea and cricket, the national sport.

Mottley is known for her outspoken stance on behalf of the most vulnerable and on environmental issues.