African Union - Haiti Observer Blog

In the next summit of the regional organization in June in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, Haiti, the first black republic in the world history, will officially become a member of the African Union (AU). With this admittance, Haiti will be the only first member nation with no geographical connection to join the continent! Although Haiti is geographically disconnected with the region, it shares some political and cultural ties with Africa and the union could be of mutual benefit to the two. Most Haitians look distinctively West African; their Creole dialects are often close translations of African languages into English or French. Haitian national dishes are barely changed versions of African food (compare Ghana's "waakye" to Nevis's "cook-up"). Even their level of poverty is very similar to many African nations than their wealthier Caribbean neighbors.

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Haiti will officially move from a simple observer, to become a full member partner of the African Union. This is scheduled to take place at their next summit of the regional organization in June.

Accepting the Caribbean country of Haiti as a member of the African Union is the first of its kind for a diaspora country and it will be a way of recognizing all the efforts made by Haiti in the past to the advent of free African States,

It will be formalized at the next AU summit in June-July in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi. Former Haitian President, Michel Martelly, is expected to be present.

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Convergent histories aren't the only things that Haiti shares with the nations of the African Union. There is also a similar outlook for the future regarding their countries. It is this current and future point of synchronicity that Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe wished to capitalize on when he participated in the Assembly of the African Union's 22nd Ordinary Session.

Fresh off his part in the Economic Forum's 44th session in Davos, Lamothe flew to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the AU meeting held from January 28 to 31, 2014. With the aim of the meeting being to hold talks on issues such as the security of food and agriculture, peace, the security of Africa and international trade, Lamothe found himself in a good position as observer of the meeting to glean new ideas and discuss possible partnerships to better aid Haiti.

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