Prime Minister Pierre urged Saint Lucians to embrace their shared African heritage, cast off the lingering effects of colonialism, and forge stronger ties with the African continent.
Speaking to the legacy of slavery and the continuing need for decolonisation of the mind, Pierre emphasised that unity with Africa must move beyond symbolism and into concrete collaboration. The Prime Minister decried what he described as a continued failure among some to free themselves from colonial brainwashing.
“There remain sadly a few amongst us who have yet to understand and appreciate the need to uplift our people from self-doubt and the harmful effects of the values of our colonial masters,” he noted.
One of the central themes of Pierre’s address was the urgent need to build meaningful partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean. Referencing the recent Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) held in Guyana, which he attended, the Prime Minister described it as more than just a diplomatic gesture.
“They are long overdue reunions of a family separated by history but united by blood and purpose,” he said.
The forum, which gathered more than 1,000 participants from both regions, tackled bold new possibilities such as the creation of a free trade zone, direct air and sea links, and deeper regional integration. According to Pierre, these initiatives represent “a shared journey of renewal” that both regions must commit to.
Pierre also used the occasion to condemn what he called a “shameful and disgraceful” act, the criticism of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Saint Lucia by what he described as a politically motivated group, allegedly backed by the opposition.
“The vilification and denigration of the President of Nigeria…was another demonstration of the harmful effects of the legacy of slavery, self-hate, and the readiness to accept African people and their descendants as inferior. Had the visit been by a head of state from another country, the reception from that group would have been at least respectful.”
Pierre called on citizens to look beyond past divisions and reimagine Africa and the Caribbean as equal partners. “The time has come to transform cultural kinship into concrete cooperation in trade and investment, in education and technology, in tourism and the arts. Let us strengthen our ties, not as distant relatives but as equal partners.”