Solidarity Message from the PDG-RDA on the occasion of the 62nd Anniversary of African Liberation Day

Pan-Africanism

The fight waged by the African Peoples to gain their full sovereignty and their total emancipation is far from being spontaneous. The Revolutionary People of Guinea gave the liberation struggle a sense of purpose, presenting the militant action for the People successively in terms of political independence, economic development, and social progress. However, the question of the United States of Africa is still topical after the heroic efforts made by the founding fathers for the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which later became African Unity (AU). It is a challenge for the next generation to make the United States of Africa a fact of life, a reality.

A.    Sanctions on CUBA:

The Cuban question, without any doubt, continues to weigh down the relations between the United States of America and Latin America. The continuation of the paranoiac policies adopted for nearly sixty (60) years seems unavoidable. Barack Obama had already liberated the financial flows between the two countries, and granted Cuban exiles the possibility of getting to the island more easily; a new step had been taken, but not all is settled so far, as the new tenant of the White House is unpredictable, and the image portrayed of Cuba is implausible; socialism is lambasted by the reactionary press. The proud Cuban People fight, and will continue to fight for a complete socio-economic rehabilitation.

B.    Sanctions on VENEZUELA:

Sanctions imposed on Venezuelan oil and exports up to this last political crisis have destabilised the Venezuelan economy. It is up to each People to undertake viable measures for their own development. We have confidence in our brothers in Venezuela, despite the fact that these sanctions have led to the systematic importation of basic products, which have stifled the development of modern agriculture and the growth of SMEs. Because Venezuela remains dependent on its oil revenues. All these deficiencies are all the more glaring as the world food crisis hit the country today, as a consequence of the sanctions. If the new American administration had plans to ease its relations with Venezuela, these have already been scuppered by the current political situation with comrade President Nicolas MADURO, who is holding on in the face of attempts at economic destabilisation. However, “Chavism” is still a victim of imperialism.

C.    Sanctions on Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe has been hounded for decades. The land reform by and for the People and against white farmers, initiated by the Mugabe government, provoked the merciless reaction from the exploiting powers. The seizing of agricultural land by the government conditioned the currency devaluation and the rampant inflation of a currency fully dollarised since 2009. The country was slowly sinking into crisis while food was lacking, and schools, hospitals and all public services were falling apart; its opposition seemed to expect more from Western powers than from African neighbours. A hero of independence and a great slayer of neo-colonialism, the thunderous Robert Mugabe impressed so many people. We hope that the current President, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, will do better.

It has to be recognised that all sanctions must be lifted, as all Peoples are sovereign on their own territory, and no People have the right to impose their domination on another, because men are born and remain free and equal in law.

Whether it be Cuba, Venezuela or Zimbabwe, no power has the right to prevent these Peoples from enjoying their wealth, because all the exploits made before the independence of these States were illegal and foreign, and therefore hostile to the development of the Peoples of these countries. Now that everyone knows their rights, the great powers must negotiate economic and political treaties that promote respect, dignity and freedom for the Cuban, Venezuelan, and Zimbabwean Peoples. This is the only way that is compatible with international peace and security.

Long live the friendship between Peoples!

A French translation of this presentation is available.