Arikana Chihombori-Quao, the African Union’s Ambassador to the United States, is Fired

A speech denouncing France’s colonization of Africa and her continued efforts to unite Africa and the African Diaspora has cost H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, the African Union’s Ambassador to the United States, her job.

The African Union has given her until November 1 to clean out her office in Washington.

“I will continue to speak out on the issues that affect our people, and I will continue to tell the truth,” H.E. Dr. Chihombori-Quao told NNPA Newswire in an exclusive interview.

The interview occurred just days after she received a termination letter from African Union Commission Chairman, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat.

“I have the honor to inform you that, in line with the terms and conditions of the service governing your appointment as Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission to the United States in Washington, DC, I have decided to terminate your contract in that capacity with effect from November 1, 2109,” Mahamat wrote in the letter dated October 7.

The letter didn’t specify the reason for firing the ambassador, who has served in that capacity for two years.

Mahamat didn’t return several messages left by NNPA Newswire.

African Union Commission Spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo deflected questions about why Mahamat terminated Dr. Chihombori-Quao.

“Political appointees at the African Union, including Dr. Chihombori, are appointed at the discretion of the appointing authority. The duration of such political appointments is also determined at the discretion of that appointing authority,” Kalondo stated.

“This is normal diplomatic practice for political appointees everywhere,” she continued, later refusing to respond to whether France was involved in the decision to terminate Dr. Chiombori-Quao.

A spokesperson for French President Emmanuel Macron declined to say whether or not Macron either ordered or played a role in the termination.

However, supporters of Dr. Chihombori-Quao, remain adamant that the French government ordered the ambassador’s termination.

Dr. Chihombori-Quao has remained outspoken about a colonial tax on Africa that nets France about $500 billion each year. “It goes back to the Berlin Conference,” Dr. Chihombori-Quao said.

The 1884-1885 conference is considered the turning point in Africa’s history.

Before the conference, nations within the African continent were treated as trading partners because of the continent’s vast resources and wealth.

The Berlin Conference ignited what became known as the “Scramble for Africa” between European powers like France, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, the U.S., and others.

“The globalization construct of divide and conquer is still alive and well,” the ambassador stated. “Benin and other small, dependent colonies in Africa and its people were forever defeated and dominated because of the Berlin Conference,” Dr. Chihombori-Quao said.”

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Source: Black Press USA