Above: Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe speaking to the African Union in Addis Ababa (Photo: OPM Haiti)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Addressing the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa this week, Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe called for a reconciliation between the Haiti and the nations of Africa.

Lamothe was urging the assembled African states to approve Haiti’s bid for membership in the regional body. It is currently an observer state.

“The geographical distance does not represent and insurmountable handicap to strengthening the undeniable links that characterize the Haitian people and their Alma Mater,” he said. “Although located in the Americas, Haiti always loudly proclaimed its African belonging. We are Africans in our souls, in our hearts and in our manners.”

This year’s African Union Summit, the 22nd in the history of the grouping, is being held under the twin themes of agriculture and food security.

The Caribbean has been quietly seeking to develop strong ties with Africa; earlier this year, Jamaica named its first-ever representative to the African Union.

Haiti has been seeking membership in the Union for several years, but the body would have to revise its constitution to admit Haiti as a full member, something Lamothe pleaded for in his speech.