The leading figures of the OEACPS

From the Association of African and Malagasy States (EAMA) in 1963 to the ACP Group in 1975, then to the OEACP in 2003, from Senegal's Senghor to Zambia's Hichilema, via Jamaica's Manley, these are the people who shaped the history of the organization. This final post on the history of the organization traces the role of these political figures in defending sovereignty, South-South cooperation, and dialogue with Europe.

Certain figures have left their mark on the history of EAMA, the ACP Group, and OEACP since 1963, playing a key role in the dialogue between the Global South and Europe. This final episode of our history of the organization celebrates these leaders who worked for the sovereignty and development of their countries.

The EAMA (1963–1975)

The pioneers of independence and cooperation

In 1963, Africa was a continent in turmoil. Independence, often newly acquired, resonated like cries of freedom after decades of colonial rule. The Association of African and Malagasy States (EAMA) was born in this context, under the auspices of the Yaoundé Convention. The heads of state and government of this period were nation builders, whose names still resonate today.

One of the most emblematic figures of this era wasLéopold Sédar Senghor, president of Senegal from 1960 to 1980. A poet and intellectual, he embodied the synthesis between African tradition and modernity. At the head of the EAMA, he championed a vision of North-South cooperation based on equality and mutual respect. His charisma and eloquence during negotiations with the European Economic Community (EEC) laid the foundations for an economic partnership that offered opportunities to young African states. Senghor gave Africa a voice on the world stage, advocating for a"civilization of the universal"in which every culture would find its place.

At the same time,Ahmadou Ahidjo, president of Cameroon from 1960 to 1982, also played a key role in the EAMA. Pragmatic and discreet, he strove to stabilize his country while consolidating relations with the EEC. Under his leadership, Cameroon became a central player in the Yaoundé negotiations, advocating for financial aid and preferential access to the European market for African agricultural products.

The ACP Group of States (1975–2003)

An expanded alliance for a multipolar world

In 1975, the EAMA evolved into the ACP Group with the signing of the Lomé Convention. This new agreement extended the partnership to the Caribbean and Pacific countries, forming a bloc of 46 nations (later growing to 79 over the years). At that time, charismatic leaders worked to strengthen the voice of developing countries in the context of the Cold War.

Kenneth Kaunda, president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991, was a central figure in this transition. Nicknamed the"African Gandhi"for his commitment to non-violence, Kaunda used the ACP platform to defend the interests of landlocked countries such as Zambia, which were dependent on copper exports. During the Lomé negotiations, he emphasized the importance of the STABEX fund, designed to stabilize agricultural and mining export revenues. His humanistic leadership and integrity made him a respected voice, even in the face of the geopolitical tensions of the time.

In the Caribbean,Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1956 to 1981, marked the entry of Caribbean countries into the ACP Group. A historian by training, Williams brought an intellectual perspective to the discussions, advocating for economic diversification and reduced dependence on former colonial powers. His vision of regional cooperation within the Caribbean influenced the ACP negotiations, strengthening the group's unity in its dealings with Europe.

We should also mentionMichael Manley, Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1972 to 1980 and from 1989 to 1992. The leader of the People's National Party (PNP) was a key figure in the ACP, bringing a social democratic vision to the ACP-EU dialogue. His commitment to workers' rights, education, and social equality, as well as his strong ties to Cuban leaders, caused tensions with the United States but reinforced his aura in the countries of the South. Proof of his popularity came in 1976 when he was re-elected despite political violence and the imposition of a state of emergency in Jamaica. Charismatic and determined, he embodied the Caribbean nations' aspiration for economic and political autonomy from the major powers.

In the Pacific,Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Prime Minister of Fiji from 1970 to 1992, embodies the voice of small island states. Charismatic and diplomatic, Mara has succeeded in bringing the specific concerns of Pacific nations to the fore, particularly on issues of fishing and climate vulnerability, in a setting dominated by African giants. His role in consolidating the ACP Group illustrates the importance of transcontinental solidarity.

The OEACP (2003-present)

The era of global challenges

In 2003, the ACP Group became the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) in order to coordinate its activities on a global scale. Against a backdrop of globalization and major crises, its leaders are facing new challenges.

Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa from 1999 to 2008, was a key figure in the early days of the OEACP. Drawing on the philosophical and political concept of the "African Renaissance" conceived by Cheikh Anta Diop and championed by Nelson Mandela, Mbeki promoted a vision of economic autonomy and regional integration, but also a vision of an Africa focused on social cohesion, democracy, economic reconstruction, and positioning Africa as a major player on the global geopolitical stage. His intellectual leadership and commitment to NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) marked a decisive step in the modernization of ACP-EU relations.

Perry Christie, former Prime Minister of the Bahamas, reinforced the Caribbean position at the OECS by highlighting the vulnerability of small island states to climate change and calling for better climate finance and increased regional integration.

More recently,Hakainde Hichilema, president of Zambia since 2021, embodies a new generation of EACP leaders. An economist by training, Hichilema champions transparency, fights corruption, and promotes equitable partnerships with the EU. He also supports policies focused on innovation and youth at EACP summits.

A legacy of commitment and vision

From Senghor to Hichilema, the leading figures of the EAMA, the ACP Group, and the OEACP have left behind a legacy of ambition and solidarity. These political leaders, from diverse backgrounds, have transformed enormous challenges—decolonization, economic instability, climate change—into opportunities to strengthen the voice of their nations. Each in their own way and at their respective levels, they contributed to building South-South and North-South cooperation, imperfect but essential, which continues to shape international relations.

Since the Lomé Convention in 1975, marked by the visionary influence of the leaders mentioned above, the organization has evolved in response to geopolitical and economic upheavals, from decolonization to globalization. Its transition to the OEACP in 2020, with the Samoa Agreement, has strengthened its autonomy and commitment to sustainable development, climate resilience, and governance. However, its financial dependence on the EU, through instruments such as the NDICI and the EFSD+, limits its strategic independence, prompting criticism of the alignment of its priorities. Its founders embodied a quest for sovereignty and transcontinental solidarity, shaping a unique platform for the 79 member nations.

Looking ahead, the OEACP will need to diversify its funding and strengthen coordination among its members in order to fully represent the aspirations of the Global South in a multipolar world, while consolidating its role as a bridge between North-South cooperation and South-South ambitions.