My name is Peter Urban, of the International Republican Socialist Network, and for 37 years it has been my honor to convey greetings of solidarity from the revolutionary forces in Ireland to the revolutionary people of Africa throughout the world. I am pleased to do so this year once again and it with profound feelings of comradeship and friendship that I speak today to the sisters and brothers of the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party, who are hosting this celebration of African Liberation Day. The A-APRP have been the most dedicated of allies and the most sincere of friends.

Some of you viewing this video could be forgiven for wondering what the people of Ireland know of the problems, challenges, and oppression confronted by the African people. Let’s face it, the Irish people are white. In fact, if you have seen someone whiter than the Irish, I’d be inclined to think you might have seen a ghost, but that is really not the issue. As Kwame Ture so often reminded us, the Irish understand these issues very well.

That is because, before the settler colonial incursions occurred in Jamestown and Capetown, the Irish people experienced the Plantation of Ulster. When Africans were loaded onto coffin ships to be exploited as slaves in the Americas, Cromwell rounded up the men of Ireland and shipped them, as chattel slaves, to cut cane in the fields of Barbados; something commemorated today by the Irish harp on the national seal of Barbados. The Irish lost their language, their land, their culture, and their rights. In the 20th century, long before neo-colonialism wreaked its damage on the newly independent nations of Africa—so aptly critiqued by Kwame Nkrumah–the Irish people had their national liberation struggle usurped by neo-colonialism. A neo-colonial regime in Dublin rules 26 Irish counties to this day and allows Britain to rule the remaining six counties.

In short, Ireland has been the testing ground for every development in colonialism and imperialism throughout its history. From this long history of shared oppression and struggle, a deep solidarity has been born between the Irish and African peoples.

I have the great honor today of having been asked by the Irish Republican Socialist Party to convey their renewed greetings of solidarity to the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party and to all the struggling people of Africa throughout the world. The IRSP support all the struggles of the African people for liberation. The Irish Republican Socialist Party join with the A-APRP in demanding IMPERIALIST HANDS OFF OF CUBA, VENEZUELA, AND ZIMBABWE. The IRSP oppose imperialism throughout the globe and are committed to opposing it wherever it raises its head.

LONG LIVE THE IRISH AND AFRICAN REVOLUTIONS!

UNITY AND SOCIALISM FOR BOTH IRELAND AND AFRICA!

LONG LIVE THE SOLIDARITY BETWEEN THE IRISH AND AFRICAN PEOPLE!

FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!