Unrest at the African Union Follows the Firing of Popular Ambassador
Supporters of Dr. Chihombori-Quao, remain adamant that the French government ordered the ambassador’s termination
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
A speech denouncing France’s colonization of Africa and her continued efforts to unite Africa and the African Diaspora has cost H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, the African Union’s Ambassador to the United States, her job.
The African Union has given her until November 1 to clean out her office in Washington.
“I will continue to speak out on the issues that affect our people, and I will continue to tell the truth,” H.E. Dr. Chihombori-Quao told NNPA Newswire in an exclusive interview.
The interview occurred just days after she received a termination letter from African Union Commission Chairman, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat.
“I have the honor to inform you that, in line with the terms and conditions of the service governing your appointment as Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission to the United States in Washington, DC, I have decided to terminate your contract in that capacity with effect from November 1, 2109,” Mahamat wrote in the letter dated October 7.
The letter didn’t specify the reason for firing the ambassador, who has served in that capacity for two years.
Mahamat didn’t return several messages left by NNPA Newswire.
African Union Commission Spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo deflected questions about why Mahamat terminated Dr. Chihombori-Quao.
“Political appointees at the African Union, including Dr. Chihombori, are appointed at the discretion of the appointing authority. The duration of such political appointments is also determined at the discretion of that appointing authority,” Kalondo stated.
“This is normal diplomatic practice for political appointees everywhere,” she continued, later refusing to respond to whether France was involved in the decision to terminate Dr. Chiombori-Quao.
A spokesperson for French President Emmanuel Macron declined to say whether or not Macron either ordered or played a role in the termination.
However, supporters of Dr. Chihombori-Quao, remain adamant that the French government ordered the ambassador’s termination.
Dr. Chihombori-Quao has remained outspoken about a colonial tax on Africa that nets France about $500 billion each year. “It goes back to the Berlin Conference,” Dr. Chihombori-Quao said.
The 1884-1885 conference is considered the turning point in Africa’s history.
Before the conference, nations within the African continent were treated as trading partners because of the continent’s vast resources and wealth.
The Berlin Conference ignited what became known as the “Scramble for Africa” between European powers like France, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, the U.S., and others.
“The globalization construct of divide and conquer is still alive and well,” the ambassador stated. “Benin and other small, dependent colonies in Africa and its people were forever defeated and dominated because of the Berlin Conference,” Dr. Chihombori-Quao said.”
The ambassador has worked diligently to try and reverse the effects of the conference. She has called on people throughout the African Diaspora to return home and put their money and resources back into Africa.
“More African physicians are practicing in the United States than those who practice in Africa,” Dr. Chihombori-Quao noted. She has even begun a development called the Wakanda One Village Project, which would include health care facilities, hotels, manufactured homes, and shopping centers.
“The dismissal of Arikana Chihombori-Quao, AU Ambassador to the United States raises serious questions about the independence of the A.U.,” said former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings.
“For someone who spoke her mind about the detrimental effects of colonization and the huge cost of French control in several parts of Africa, this is an act that can be described as coming from French-controlled colonized minds,” Rawlings stated.
He continued:
“How can this shameful behavior emanate from us? A woman with all that it takes to galvanize our continent is chopped down by French-colonized power mongers good enough to be cleaners or pruning trees at the Elysee Palace. With leaders of this kind, how can this continent ever progress?”
More than 34,000 people have signed a petition on change.org, demanding the reinstatement of Dr. Chihombori-Quao.
After almost a year of persuading her to assume leadership as the African Union Permanent Ambassador in the United States representing the 55 countries of the Union, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao accepted the position in December 2016 and has led with courage and vigor in galvanizing peoples of African Descent, the petition states.
Dr. Chihombori-Quao has spoken globally to empower all those of African Descent to come together.
The goal is to build the “Africa We Want” as adopted in African Union Agenda 2063, wrote Professor Apollos Nwauwa, the secretary of African Diaspora Congress, who started the petition.
“The unification of the African Diaspora as espoused in A.U. Agenda 2063 is contrary to the Africa that has been marginalized and pillaged through inequitable colonial and post-colonial contracts. Dr. Arikana has been outspoken about neo-colonial maneuverings and exploitation that still exist today. Her dissemination of the truth has garnered her attention and support around the world,” Professor Nwauwa stated.
The petition has the support of various organizations, including African Union African Diaspora Health Initiative; Africa In Diaspora; Voice; Pan African Diaspora Youth Association; Pan African Diaspora Women’s Association; Africans in Boston; The African Diaspora Foundation; DFW Inclusive African Community Organization; and the Global African Business Association.
“People of African Descent around the world are appalled by Dr. Chihombori-Quao’s unjust dismissal,” Professor Nwauwa stated.
“Instead of dismantling her movement to liberate the people of African Descent from colonialism and pursue financial freedom, her dismissal has galvanized African Diaspora in the spirit of UBUNTU – I am because you are!”
Good job. We have to make sure this Ambassador is reinstated and the AU should render an apology to her or else.
Mugabe is turning in his fresh grave with fury…
Mother Africa is crying for her children to wake up to the truth and come back home.The Mountains and oeans can no more hold back the truth.Mountains will shift and oceans will open for the children of Africa to go to the other side.No human can stop this awakening and restoration of the children of the universe.If our God wants mama ambassador to get out of the matrix to speak with a bigger voice then let it be so.Children of the universe, she can never be taken away from us.God bless you all..
Enough with the former colonial masters meddling of African affairs. The time for Africa to run her business is now and France should be made to pay for the trillions of dollars they took from Francofone countries. In my opinion, Africans globally should know that Dr. Chihombori is a true African mother and she should continue with her quest to unite diaspora and Africa
you are right, unfortunately the lack the understanding of the fight for collective survival the are in. They are still psychologically underdeveloped impressed easily with shiny things. Their colonial rulers are well aware of their weaknesses
Worthless AU comprised of despots and thieves.Dat Union should be disbanded bcos of its undemocratic governance which does not tolerate freedom of speech and expression.Who do they think they are?Real bozos dat cannot provide electricity, clean water,sewage disposal systems, fight corruption ,economic opportunities and jobs for their teeming populations.
They can’t silence you Doc keep on speaking the truth we are behind you….
We will continue to ignite the diaspora to support. We the diaspora will not support cowardness, the truth must be told as it is. Africa is not progressing because of most members being manipulated by France through their corrupt leaders.
Look, all the Togo, Cameroon etc. Until the Africa curtail this new colonization and operate as one, there will be no progress for all black people. And Diaspora we must ARISE AND SHOW OUR PRESENCE
Who is France 🇫🇷 to keep Meddling in African Affairs.
African leaders must not heed to the advice from any outside leaders to fire the the distinguished African Ambassador from her post. She is doing the wonderful job. Telling the whole world the truth, and the truth shall set Africa free.
I support her!
She is helping to wake up Africa!
It’s time for Africans start fighting for the Africa we all want and deserve. Our people have been in bondage for too long
This is sad, this tells us how European powers still have a rope around the neck of A.U, as Africans we are not safe till all these leaders controlled by this European powers are removed.Africa is for Africans. You sail with the ship to total independence or you get off the ship…AFRICA MUST WAKE UP!!!…
I strongly support.
The Berlin Conference was an act of cowardice unmatched in history! How is that white Europe and white’s from the United States hold a meeting on Black Africa and NO Blacks are invited?
There must be another conference to deal with the ramifications of what this dastardly meeting has wrought on the Black world!
Belgium must be held to account for the savagery of Leopold II who butchered over 10 million people in the DRC during his 23 year reign of terror! His likeness must be removed from the streets of Brussels! All the artifacts stolen from DRC must be returned.
That African leader’s are fearful of Europe is intolerable! The Ambassador to the United States from the African Union is an honorable woman who was set to accompany me to Brazil next month to be honored by the largest group of African’s in the world except those in Nigeria. Reinstate her immediately!
it is very unfair to terminate hon.Arkana.How can head of AU terminate Arkana? AU is for himself or belongs to 55 africans member states? Africans has a long way to go,if some leaders still exrcise falling in love with their colonial masters.
I support Dr Arikana.
The AU has a long way to go.
As far as “Fronce” is concerned, the PanAfrican World MUST Boycott her until she backs away from her outrageous exploitations of the pertinent parts of Africa!!!
I have spoken.
Dr. Bamba(S.C.), h.c.
FEAR!!!!!!!!
I don’t know anymore how many times I’ve said this: France is an evil country. Francophone Africa is what weighs down Africa and France is all behind it. France is NOTHING without Africa.
Unfortunately un able to sign the petition
It seem here in London our phones are blocked from accessing the petition site
Can someone help or check this out
We have to rise
I call up on all the good people to fight against the exploitation of the African continent
God is with us
Re iinstate our leaders AU
Africa’s can only be free when they become psychologically developed enough to understand the modern survival doctrine, enabling them to free and develop themselves collectively. If they remain as adolescence to this evolving world they will slowly disappear over the next 500 years
Keep on the Leadership Dr Arikana, we are so grateful for informing us of the continuation of France colonisation of those African Countries. We All know the truth that the African coward Leaders are following orders from the West. The West is scared that Africa will one day stand on its own feet. They better be scared we are behind you, Africa is unstoppable and soon we will stand on our own. Lets be aware they will do anything to stop the growth of Africa development but unfortunately to them our time time has come and United we will overcome the challenges ahead. The more they put a wall ahead the more we are determined to smash it. United we Stand To Conquer our enemies.