Dear Editor,

As I wander through the curves and turns of Fern Gully and the green hills of Walker’s Wood, from Montego Bay to Kingston, I can’t help but notice the buzz — the talk of every town isn’t just about the latest dancehall hit or the next big football match. No, it’s the whispers of global shifts, of leaders like Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré; President of Namibia Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah; Barbados’ Mia Mottley; and the revolutionary spirit of “Barbeque” in Haiti, that are stirring the local pot. Yet, amidst this fervour, there’s an odd silence, a void in which one might expect to hear the voices of our own leaders.

Let’s ponder this, shall we? Here we are, in the land of “Out of many, one people”, still seemingly bound by colonial chains, both literal and metaphorical. Our prime minister, Andrew Holness, a member of the British monarch’s Privy Council, has sworn an oath that seems more fitting for a subject than a leader of an independent republic. One wonders, does this allegiance lie with the people of Jamaica or with the Crown? It’s tough to chant, “Down with monarchy!” when you’ve sworn to “keep secret all matters committed to your trust”.

And let’s not sidestep the issue of Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s dual citizenship. Is this a strategic move or a mere coincidence? It’s as if our leaders are playing a game of geopolitical chess with their loyalties, leaving the Jamaican populace to wonder if they’re merely pawns in this grand strategy.

Then there’s the governor general, Kenneth Hall, proudly sporting the Order of St Michael and St George — with a white angel standing on a black man’s neck, no less. It’s a striking image, isn’t it? Almost poetic in its irony, symbolising perhaps the lingering shadows of our colonial past.

A closer look at the data and credible sources reveals a pattern of deference to foreign interests. According to a 2020 report by The Gleaner, the country’s economy is heavily reliant on foreign investment, with a significant portion of gross domestic product (GDP) coming from remittances and foreign aid. This dependence can create a dynamic, whereby Jamaican leaders prioritise the interests of foreign donors over those of their own citizens.

Jamaica’s economic model, heavily influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, seems to dance to a tune played by foreign orchestras. Our GDP sings a song of remittances and foreign aid, a melody that might well be titled ‘Dependency Waltz.’

The public, however, is not oblivious to these dynamics. As the sidewalk palaver and social media chatter attest, Jamaicans are keenly aware of the global shifts and are eager for their leaders to take a bold stance. The likes of Traoré; Patrice Émery Lumumba, Congolese politician and independence leader; and Julius Sello Malema, South African politician and founder of the Economic Freedom Fighters are celebrated for their courage and conviction, qualities that seem to be in short supply among Jamaica’s leaders.

It’s time for Jamaican leaders to break their silence on global affairs and articulate a vision that prioritises the needs and aspirations of the Jamaican people. Until then, the public will continue to whisper about BRICS, foreign allegiances, and the lingering shadows of colonialism.

So I pose this question to you Jamaica: Do you think our leaders will stop being the silent spectators in the global theatre and start scripting a narrative that truly reflects the heart and soul of Jamaica? Until then, we’ll keep talking, keep the discussion alive, and keep dreaming of a Republic that truly represents us.

Yannick Nesta Pessoa

yannickpessoa@yahoo.com

Ibrahim Traoré