Africa must do more for Haiti says Soyinke
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Monday, January 25, 2010 – Presenter of the 2010 Derek Walcott Lecture Nigerian Wole Soyinka in a recent press conference, told reporters that in his view Africa should do more to demonstrate its solidarity and sympathy with the people of Haiti.
Soyike says because of Haiti's unique history in the diaspora, Africa should be there for Haiti at this time of calamity and distress.
“Quite apart from the humanitarian response which should apply to any nation on earth, if they were conscious of the historic significance of Haiti to the African world, they should have been the very first to speak, arrive, send something or the other,” Soyinke noted.
After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first black republic to declare independence in 1804.
Soyinka's lecture drew unprecedented numbers to the NIC's conference centre recently. On the issue of Haiti's current crises, he says Africa/ Haiti relations should be deepened and strengthened.
“Haiti, the first black republic, a scene of tremendous
organization and heroism. One can never forget the defeat of Napoleon's army by
General Dessalines for instance and then the mobilization of the people to
actually create a viable nation in the Caribbean far from the African
continent.” Wole Soyinka is the 1986 Nobel Laureate for Literature. |
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