Repatriation in the Context of the Grand Debate

A statement from the Rastafari People at the African Union Grand Debate was issued on July 2, 2007. It states: “The World Conference Against Racism declared the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as a crime against humanity. This year, Britain and America have celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the end of that wickedness. The Republic of Ghana, for its part, has also seen fit to do something to atone for this crime against humanity and the complicity of some chiefs in the deportation of their own people into what became the MAAFA - an African Holocaust.

If it is morally and spiritually correct to talk about the wrongness of forcibly transporting African people from Africa to the Americas, then it is absolutely correct at this time to talk about the rightness of transporting African people from the land of their captivity to their ancestral homeland which is this continent known today as Africa.

So as we are gathered to debate the ways and means of forming a United Africa, and consequently, the future of all African people, let it be clear – there can be no blessed United Africa so long as no decision is made to launch the Repatriation program to provide transportation, citizenship and land to those descendants of the African people who were taken into captivity and who are willing to resettle.

Why do we say this? Why must the African rulers gathered here today place Repatriation firmly on the agenda of the African Union Grand Debate?

First it must be recalled that millions of African people were taken away, from all five regions of today’s African Union. Though they came from different tribes and spoke different languages, no matter the name which they used to worship the Almighty Creator, they all had the same prayer – to be delivered from the land of their captivity and to return to their homeland. Millions died, perished in the ocean. Millions survived the hellish middle passage, and their generations still live in the land of their captivity. That is a lot of unanswered prayers!

Second, it was some African rulers of the time which committed this crime to enrich themselves with worthless European goods and second and third rate guns. Some of today’s African rulers are behaving as these same African rulers of yesterday, and they continue to sell African people’s interests themselves for worthless European goods and second and third rate guns.

Finally, let us, as the Republic of Ghana has done, consider the Biblical story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. A judgment from the Almighty imposed a famine on Joseph’s brothers, and African people today know a lot about famine. We all know what happened – seeking to save themselves, Joseph’s brothers looked for foreign aid and found it in the great power of Egypt. However, to receive the foreign aid necessary to survive, Joseph’s brothers had to reconcile with their wicked deeds. They had to seek forgiveness.

Hence, there is a lesson for Africa .

If one were to read this Biblical story and conclude that it was all about getting the corn Joseph had accumulated rather than the spiritual redemption , then one misses the point entirely!

Did Joseph’s brothers say, “its good to see you again, but we just want some of your corn . . . “? Did Joseph’s brothers put restrictions on allowing Joseph back into the family?

So while Africa is looking at attracting the wealth of the African in the Americas , do not make the mistake thinking that Diaspora investment is the important contribution to the upliftment of Africa .

Unless and until a United Africa, in the spirit of full atonement, receives the African Diaspora that was sold into slavery unconditionally as full citizens and provides for their transportation to come home, and gives them land to settle, then Africa cannot become at peace spiritually, because where there are unanswered prayers for justice, there is no peace!

Then, consider a father whose two sons, for years mistreated each repeatedly. How disgusted the father would be! No blessings would come to such sons.

Could it be that the African son in Africa and the African son abroad are suffering everywhere so miserably, because Our Father is disgusted with our behavior towards each other?

Now imagine one day the two sons come together, and honestly repent for what they have done, and then present themselves, hand-in-hand to their father, and swear to remain united, working together, never again to mistreat each other. Would not that father become overjoyed and shower his blessings on his sons?

Since no one can deny that spiritual and material blessings go hand in hand, it can not be disputed then that Africa needs to get right spiritually in order to enjoy material blessings. And to get right spiritually, today African rulers must, like Joseph’s brothers, go to their brothers and sisters whom have been mistreated for over 400 years, repent for the wickedness of those ancestors who are guilty, and hand-in-hand, together, present ourselves before the Almighty Creator. This is the meaning of the Joseph Project and it is unconditional.

The African Union is meeting on the Eve of the Ethiopian Millennium. Believe it! The AU has the power to establish a United Africa. It has the power to remove visa restrictions. It has the power to adopt the African Citizens Passport and a common currency. And it has the power to legally and programmatically establish the right of return of the descendants of the Africans that were sold into slavery and include their voluntary Repatriation as a foundation of a United Africa.

The Rastafari people who have taken the lead in Repatriation preparations, are here and ready to assist the African Heads of State in this matter.

As a preliminary step, the AU can decide to commission a Working Group on Rastafari Populations and African Diasporan Repatriation that will conduct a Repatriation Census as an enduring legacy of the Joseph Project, to facilitate the voluntary return and resettlement of any and all descendants of the African people who were taken away as victims of this greatest crime against humanity. When this is done, prayers will be answered and Our Father and Mother of creation shall shower us with material blessings.

Here it should be noted that America and the European nations bear an even greater responsibility for providing Reparations, and such logistical and material challenges of the Repatriation program should be included as on of the “continental projects” feasibly studied, costed and implemented. The vision of Repatriation as Given by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1954 that included the Shashemane Land Grant, free transportation, immediate citizenship, a house rent-free, a competitive salary, paid three-months vacation, and return transportation to the west and back again, should be studied as a model.

However, should the African Union fail to establish a United Africa with a Repatriation program as a foundation, the judgment shall be the total plunder of our beloved continent.

May the wise mind of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie continue to guide Us in Africa ’s Redemption.”

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