Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has shared her vision for a United States of Africa, calling for greater unity between African and Caribbean nations to secure a prosperous future. Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, Mottley emphasized the importance of collaboration to overcome historical injustices and forge a new path for the continent and its diaspora.
Mottley, a strong advocate for Pan-African unity, expressed that her dream of a united Africa stems from her deep connection to the continent. She highlighted how Africa’s potential had been stifled by the 1884 Berlin Conference, which divided African territories among European powers. She suggested that had history taken a different turn, Africa might have already established itself as a powerful and united entity akin to the USA.
“When I speak of the USA with affection, I do not only want to speak on that which is known in the Americas; I want to speak on that which ought to have been possible if the 1884 Berlin talks did not take place,” she stated.
Mottley noted that Africa’s diversity—similar to that of India and China in terms of ethnicity, language, and religion—should not be an obstacle but rather a strength in achieving unity. She urged African and Caribbean leaders to see beyond their individual identities and instead focus on collective progress.
She also underscored Africa’s wealth in natural resources, pointing out that the continent holds 40 percent of the world’s minerals. This, she argued, should position Africa as a key player in global affairs, capable of determining its own destiny and contributing significantly to global stability.
“How not, does the numbers of our two communities (Africans and Caribbean) who constitute a third of the world’s states not act in singular purpose to forge the kind of world that they want and to be able to ensure that the institutions that deny access to us, to hear our voices as reflective of the continent and the small island developing states of the world?” she asked.
Mottley challenged the AU Assembly to work toward continental unity, highlighting that one in every five people in the world comes from Africa and its diaspora. Her speech aligned with the summit’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” which focused on advancing reparatory justice and fostering racial healing.
The summit brought together heads of state and government from AU member states, as well as leaders from international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Mottley’s address resonated with the broader discussions on how African nations and the diaspora can collectively chart a new course for their future.
