Source: africanunionusa.org /  H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao  served as  the African Union Ambassador to the United States of America since December 1, 2016.

By Gary Raynaldo    /  DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The African Union’s sacking of its highly-respected Ambassador to the United States H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao has caused an uproar among People of African Descent around the world.  During her three-year tenure as AU ambassador to the  U.S., Chihombori-Quao has been very outspoken against neo-colonialism on the African continent. She has also energized peoples of African descent to unite to build the “Africa We Want”.  The AU swiftly pushed  Chihombori-Quao out of her high-profile diplomatic posting, following a highly-critical speech  denouncing France’s colonization of Africa.  On Oct. 7, 2019,  the AU Commission Chairman,  H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat dispatched a termination letter to Chihombori-Quao, ordering  her to vacate her office in Washington D.C. by November 1.  The AU Commission Chairman made the unilateral decision without any hearing or explanation, according to the African Diaspora Congress, which has started a petition calling for Chihombori-Quao’s reinstatement.

AU Commission Chairman,  H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat Terminated U.S. Ambassador 

Credit: au.int /  H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission

Supporters of Ambassador Chihombori-Quao are of the opinion the AU and Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat took the action after pressure from France.  Ambassador Chihombori-Quao has been very vocal in denouncing what she believes is the French Republic’s continued exploitation of its former African colonies.  More than  60,000 people have already signed a Petition calling upon the African Union to  reinstate Ambassador Chihombori-Quao.

“People of African Descent around the world are appalled by Dr. Chihombori-Quao’s unjust dismissal.  Instead of dismantling her movement to liberate the people of African Descent from colonialism and pursue financial freedom, her dismissal has galvanized African Diaspora in the spirit of UBUNTU – I am because you are! The petition against undue influence and pressure exerted on African leaders and people by the former colonial powers of Europe calls for Dr. Chihombori-Quao’s immediate reinstatement to her position and an apology from the AU Commission.”

–Reinstate African Union Ambassador Chihombori-Quao! – Change.org

Ghana’s former President Jerry John Rawlings  Points Finger at France Influence

“How can this shameful behaviour emanate from us? A woman with all that it takes to galvanize our continent is chopped down by French-colonized power managers good enough to be cleaners or pruning trees at the Elysee Palace. With leaders of this kind, how can this continent ever progress?” 

-Jerry John Rawlings,  former President of Ghana

The dismissal of Arikana Chihombori-Quao, AU Ambassador to the United States raises serious questions about the independence of the AU… pic.twitter.com/XaN93IwTx3

— Jerry John Rawlings (@officeofJJR) October 13, 2019

Chihombori-Quao is a medical doctor and activist. She is a public speaker, educator, diplomat, founder of medical clinics, and an entrepreneur. She moved to the United States after living many years in Zimbabwe. She is the CEO and founder of Bell Family Medical Centers in the United States. She was the African Union representative to the US. She was appointed in 2017. She holds a bachelor’s degree in General Chemistry, a master’s degree in organic chemistry, and a Doctor of Medicine degree. Chihombori was a family medicine specialist in Tennessee. She practiced medicine for 29 years in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  Chihombori has also been particularly outspoken about the implications of the Berlin Conference that took place in Berlin, Germany, in 1885. She lectures about the outcome of the divisions on the continent of Africa that were made. She sees these divisions as a cause of some of Africa’s problems that are still in effect today.  Her driving passion is to reunite African states, and Africans in the Diaspora.