Legacy of Sir Shridath Sonny Ramphal and PJ Patterson in ACP's Fight for Economic Justice

This fragmentation was Europe’s victory. The unity that once empowered the ACP had been successfully eroded, and as a result, the EPAs—agreements that were supposed to benefit developing nations—left the ACP countries negotiating alone, each country or sub-region now isolated and outmatched. The “divide and rule” technique, once used to subjugate colonies, had once again found success in a new form of economic imperialism.

The EPAs, which Caribbean countries signed in 2008, were nothing short of a “shotgun arrangement.” Under the guise of partnership, ACP nations found themselves signing agreements that returned them to the conditionalities, and terms dictated by the EU. ACP states gave far more than they got in return, and with no collective voice, they faced the behemoth of the EU alone.

Ramphal’s fight for justice did not end with the ACP. In 1975, he assumed the role of secretary-general of the Commonwealth, a position he would hold for 15 years. When he took the helm, the Commonwealth was still very much a “British” institution, serving primarily the interests of the UK government, including the preservation of white minority rule in Southern Rhodesia (later Zimbabwe) and apartheid South Africa. Ramphal brought with him the same determination that had guided his efforts for developing countries—now expanded to the global stage.

Through his leadership, the Commonwealth Secretariat became an engine for advancing equity and justice for developing states. Ramphal harnessed the power of expert groups to produce meticulously researched reports that challenged the policies of global institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO. These reports not only provided developing countries with evidence-based arguments but also positioned Ramphal as an international voice for the poor and underdeveloped.

Ramphal’s influence went beyond economic policy. Defying the British government and its prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, Ramphal used his legal and diplomatic acumen to support African leaders in their negotiations for independence of Southern Rhodesia. His insistence on “one man, one vote” became a cornerstone of Southern Rhodesia’s eventual independence as Zimbabwe.

In the fight against apartheid, Ramphal once again marshalled his diplomatic skill to build alliances across the Commonwealth. He forged a coalition between leaders of African frontline states, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, with leaders from outside Africa, such as Bob Hawke of Australia, Brian Mulroney of Canada, Rajiv Gandhi of India, and Lynden Pindling of the Bahamas. This alliance helped swing Commonwealth sentiment behind accelerated action to end apartheid in South Africa and to free Nelson Mandela from prison.

At the conclusion of his tenure as Commonwealth secretary-general, Ramphal’s work was far from over. He turned his attention to his beloved Caribbean, spearheading initiatives aimed at strengthening the region through deeper economic interaction and political cooperation. The central theme of his efforts remained the same: unity. For Ramphal, unity was not only the foundation of the Caribbean’s strength but also the key to its rightful standing in the world. His work continued to be supported by PJ Patterson and Alister McIntyre, his longtime collaborators and fellow warriors in the struggle for Caribbean advancement.

Now, as Ramphal and McIntyre have passed on, PJ Patterson stands as the last surviving member of this illustrious trio. The Caribbean owes these giants an incalculable debt, but more than anything else, it owes itself the obligation to remain faithful to the courage, vision, and diligence that Ramphal, Patterson, and McIntyre exemplified. Their quest to ensure that the region stood tall in the international community, asserting its rights and leadership, is a legacy that demands to be upheld.

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also the son-in-law of Sir Shridath Ramphal. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com