Speech of the Ambassador of the Republic of Benin

His Excellency Cyrille  S. Oguin

at the Freedom’s Fortress Celebration 1607-2007

Fort Monroe, Virginia

May 24, 2007

 

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Colonel Jason T. Evans, Garrison Commander, Fort Monroe,

 

Honorable Senator Lokh, Generals,

 

Honorable Guests,

 

First, let me express my appreciation and gratitude to the U.S. Army TRADOC Band for performing in such a wonderful way the National Anthem of my country, the Republic of Benin. You are true professionals.

 

I want to thank you for inviting me to be part of this historic moment: the “Freedom’s Fortress Celebration 1607-2007”.

 

The Government and people of the Republic of Benin (West Africa) are proud to be represented at this great event and I bring to you all their greetings and friendship as they join in celebrating today the 400^th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlers’ landing in 1607 at Point Comfort, now Fort Monroe and the 146 anniversary of the contraband slave decision. We highly salute that live-saving and humanitarian decision of Major General Benjamin Butler, which made free forever, escaping slaves reaching Union lines.

 

The history of slave trade and slavery is indeed a very tragic one that has forever marked for many centuries the souls and bodies of black people. The stigma of that tragedy remains vivid on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

My country Benin then made up of some powerful kingdoms including the Kingdom of Danhome and as a main gathering and shipping point, was actively involved in the shameful transatlantic slave trade that deprived mother Africa of thousands and thousands of her most valid children. That was a huge responsibility on our part, which should be publicly acknowledged. That’s exactly what we did.

 

The Republic of Benin under the leadership of former President Mathieu Kerekou acknowledged its role in this dreadful trade, our own part in selling fellow Africans to slave traders.

 

Then in December 1999, Benin convened an International Conference that assembled descendants of those involved in the transatlantic slave trade: Europe, Africa and America including participants from Richmond, Virginia, who join in their efforts for a genuine healing and reconciliation process. I praise the WHRO Television Services of Norfolk (VA) in a co-production with FOX 43 that brought home for their viewers some highlights from the Benin Conference.

 

This effort to promote reunion has continued under the leadership of our current President, His Excellency Dr. Boni Yayi.

 

The unveiling on March 30, 2007 of the Richmond Commemoration Statue, part of the three (3) identical statues, two others being in Liverpool (England) and Cotonou (Benin), symbolizes our common commitment to new relationships based on honesty and friendship.

 

These are the reasons of my being here tonight, to witness and share with you, ladies and gentlemen, this historic moment of the “Freedom’s Fortress Celebration”. It’s our hope that this commemoration and the current process of healing will once again open the way for peace, reconnection, friendship and cooperation among our people.

 

Thank you.