By Nason Mamuse
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) -The recent sacking of Dr Marikana Chihombori-Quao, a Zimbabwean woman who was the Permanent Ambassador at the African Union AU in United States of America USA after two and half years on the job has drawn wide condemnation from across the African continent.
Dr Arikana had accepted that position to represent the 55 African nations in December 2016 after being persuaded to take up the job. Her two and half years stint has proven her ability in encouraging and spurring the people of African descent to remain focused in their aspiration for a ‘’continent we want’’. Dr Chihombori has been consistent, unequivocal and out spoken against the unjust and marginalization of the African continent by her former colonizers- the western and powerful nations.
In one of her masterful African History lessons on why Africa is not moving forward, she said, “Until Africa comes together as a continent to speak with one voice as a people, nothing will change for the good for her people’’. It was also in that presentation where she questioned France’s ‘continued and blatant collection of colonial tax estimated at US$500 billion every year from 14 African countries. It is in view of this that she calls on Africans to unite so as to effectively fight this neocolonialism.
Dr Chihombori’s speeches call for a collaboration of a continental nature from African member states especially in light of the fulfillment of the 2063 AU Agenda. She is for a better, united and prosperous Africa. However, her outspokenness and candid talk about the issues that affect the development of Africa has torched the storm and her recent firing by the AU chairman Moussa Faki is testimony to this.
The fact that the dismissal letter dated 7 October 2019 did not give any reasons for her sacking and that she was not offered any chance to defend herself, is enough evidence that she was unjustly removed from her post. Because of this brazen act, the African Diaspora has demanded reinstatement of Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao. In pursuit of this, a petition has been generated for the people to sign calling for Dr Chihombori’s reinstatement. Not only are the petitioners demanding for her reinstatement, they are also asking for an apology from the African Union Commission.
Following her sacking, questions have been asked; have African heads of States been consulted before the decision to fire her? Who is rejoicing after Dr Arikana’s removal, is it Africa or Former Colonizers? These questions ring in the minds of the Africans especially the African Diaspora who strongly believes that Dr Chihombori is persecuted for speaking the truth. Because she represented the African narrative, her sacking mean that Africa is taking several steps backwards in the promotion of unity, peace and inclusive societies for sustainable development in Africa.
If the African Presidents have not been consulted, this is an issue that has to unite the continent against unjust treatment by the Western nations. African leaders need to be involved and speak with one voice against this unjust act. The voices of the African in Diaspora, Pan African Diaspora, Youth Association Pan African Diaspora, Women Association Pan African in Boston, the African Diaspora Foundation are loud and clear that Her Excellency Dr Arikana Chihombori Quao has to be reinstated.
She did not commit a crime by calling on France to return the artifacts stolen from African countries. Even here in Zimbabwe, the authorities have on several occasions been calling for the repatriation of the ‘stolen remains of the first Chimurenga heroes and heroines together with some artifacts’. This does not amount to committing a crime.
In fact, for standing up and talking about the need to repatriate whatever was stolen from any African Nation, Zimbabwe included, it is testimony enough that Dr Chihombori stood by Africa. In Zimbabwe for example, we do not forget that, ‘’several art works have been shipped outside the country by the former colonialists and missionaries’’. These artifacts are decorating foreign galleries and benefiting those nations at the expense of a Zimbabwean people. Among those artifacts are ‘’Mkwati walking stick and stools which are displayed in museums somewhere in Western countries.
Although the Zimbabwean bird which is an important symbol of our Heritage as a people and other artifacts were reluctantly returned some years back, researchers have however indicated that other assortments of artifacts remain unaccounted for. As if that was not enough, the mysterious disappearance of the remains of our first Chimurenga heroes and heroines remain a hot potato. Names like Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, Lobengula, Chingaira, Chinengundu, Mashayamombe, Mapondera, Chingaira Makoni among others are great names that should be remembered in the history of the struggle of Zimbabwe as they laid the ‘’foundation of resistance to colonialism’’. They led the indigenous people to revolt against the invaders but after the defeat of the indigenous people by the ‘’whites’’, these leaders were denied the proper burial as they disappeared while in the hands of the captors.
It is historically known that these leaders were beheaded and shipped to Museums in London and some parts of Europe as trophies to confirm their victory. This was done to obliterate them from the minds of their subjects and do away with their influence on the indigenous black people and it also helped in converting them into Christianity by the invaders.
Because Dr Chihombori Arikana was fearlessly speaking about stolen artifacts by Western nations from Africa and Zimbabwe in particular and also because some remarkable ‘’success were achieved over the past four decades by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisations ( UNESCO), through legal instruments to protect cultural art from theft, illicit trade and returning stolen properties of origin’’, the former colonizers know that Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao would expose their untoward acts, hence the decision to sack her. The chairman of AU was influenced to fire the firebrand woman for standing with Africa in her quest to have her rightful position in the family of progressive nations.
African nations, especially their Presidents need to stand up and speak with one loud voice against the dismissal of Dr Chihombori. It is in the interest of this great continent to have a fearless representative and encouraging and supporting her should be our priority as a continent.
As Southern African Development Countries SADC are taking a position to supporting Zimbabwe on the anti-sanction drive, the same vigor should be applied in standing behind a woman who has stood for a continental cause.
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