By Emmanuel Argo*- Lucien Cidalise Montaise*

For 3 centuries, European countries have practiced the deportation of millions of Africans for economic purposes. In France, the abolition of slavery was voted in 1848. The following year, the compensation of the colonists was voted. Nearly 12 million francs in compensation are allocated to them, half immediately paid and the other in the form of an annuity over 20 years. Reparations, yes, but to those who made their fortunes through slavery, that is to say to the settler-béké-slaveholders whose economic power is reinforced.

In May 2001, the so-called “Taubira” law, named after the deputy from Guyana, daughter of descendants of slaves, recognized the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity. The law does not provide for compensation. As early as 2005, the International Movement for Reparations -MIR-, led by Garcin Malsa and the Collective of Daughters and Sons of Deported Africans -COFFAD-, among others, sued the French State with a request for reparation and financial compensation in multiple jurisdictions of courts. On November 7, 2018, the request was rejected by the Paris Court of Cassation amid general indifference. Associations that have taken the initiative to go to court should be encouraged to pursue their approach. For information. France was ordered in 2014 to pay millions of euros to Americans who are descendants of victims or survivors of the Holocaust.

An ''equal rights'' with variable geometry

In these times of economic, social and political uncertainty, because of their skin color, overseas French people are becoming citizens not in their own right but entirely apart: unequal rights to work and housing, contempt , various humiliations, verbal and physical attacks etc. Yet the blood tax was paid by Africans and Afro-descendants in 14/18, in 39/45, dissidence in the French West Indies, but also in Mexico in 1892, when Martinicans joined the troops of Napoleon III. Thus the minority of “non-whites” remains an adjustment variable, useful or inopportune, depending on political and economic hazards. The social inequalities that destabilize the populations of the EU also affect the overseas territories, which concentrate demographic aging, irregular immigration, delinquency, insecurity and unemployment. From the exile of young overseas sailors to Europe, locally arise a wait-and-see attitude, withdrawal and bitterness.

Building the future requires abandoning past constraints.

http://www.mundus.ac.uk/images/africa00.gif The deportation of millions of Africans for the purpose of slavery dispersed them in all oceans or continents. These afro descendants constitute the 6th region that the African Union has recognized. The 5 regions of Africa and this 6th region form what we call Africa which, by 2030, will have nearly 2 billion people. Soon this demographic force, added to the mineral and natural wealth, will constitute the foundations of an autonomous economic development from which partnerships can be established instead of the current post-colonial relations. Territories of Africa Mundus, “our” overseas territories give France the privilege of being the first nation in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Recently in the West Indies, the President of the French Republic returned local political leaders to their autonomy in terms of managing their problems. Of which act. Thus, let us go further and call for a constitutional reform for a “grooming” [term of jurists] of the statutes in order to create a large autonomous overseas region bringing together the Antilles and French Guiana. This future large region which benefits from climatic, maritime and other raw material resources would be, for the European Union, a large geostrategic community. By betting on an aggregation of its forces, it will be able to put an end to a present largely influenced by its history.

Repair as a lever for development

Such a project, which also applies to other overseas territories, requires resources. Thus, as compensation for past crimes, we propose that, like the rent paid to settlers from 1849, a rent be granted by the State to top up an investment fund reserved exclusively for local initiatives. economic, social and cultural development. Propose the creation of innovative training for the exploitation of natural resources and the development of port infrastructure for trade with neighboring countries. Let us propose that a tantième on extracted gold and other resources such as wood, in Guyana, tourism in Guadeloupe, rum in Martinique, be paid to the Greater Region, etc. etc… Locally, a specific commission will have to study the redistribution of land to encourage vegetable production, or any other specific issue. The repair must thus allow a definitive exit from the welfare, isolation and influence of a few heirs who maintain dependence on imports and act as a brake on autonomy.

Limiting the exile of young people and encouraging the return home of ultra-marine nationals is the result that is expected from a change in paradigms. To be constantly attentive to this desire for the existence of the future of our regions, separated only by the need for an economic-political will to better address the realities which in our opinion disturb them, overwhelm them and develop egocentrism. This proposed change of paradigms imposes a better attempt to combine our forces and the acceptance of democracy in the choices adopted. We are all mixed by history, culture, development. Let's prove to the world that we can be initiators-creators at the same time. We believe it. Let us therefore propose and sign this intention intended for suffering peoples, victims for centuries of division and ignorance of the other.

*Emmanuel Argo, member of the Africa Mundus network, member of Chatham House and of the Historical Society of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Co-author of: Regional integration: Economic Partnership. Agreements for Eastern and Southern Africa. Author of the preface of: Who threatens the Peace and stability of Africa as well as the NegroEvolution concept.

*Lucien Cidalise Montaise, member of the Africa Mundus network for the West Indies. Former President of the Order of Architects. Former member of the Council for Culture Education and the Environment.