CABO - the Central American Black Organization is meeting in Belize
this week. Its 15th annual general assembly starts this evening at the Bliss
Center for the Performing Arts. More than 200 black activists from across Central
America will meet for three days of discussion about issues affecting blacks
in the region. CABO President Sydney Francis says it will be their first meeting
in Belize since the organization was formed 15 years ago in Dangriga.
Sydney Francis, President – CABO
“This is an activity that the Central American Black Organization
celebrates every year in different countries of Central America including the
United States. Coming to Belize to celebrate this general assembly, it has a
double meaning. One it is because 15 years ago this organization was created.
15 years ago about 5 to 6 countries assembled in Dangriga and they gave birth
to this organization known as CABO.
CABO is a cross border organization and it was created fundamentally in
order to make visible the presence of black people in Central America, to make
visible the needs and necessities of black people in the agenda of policymakers.”
And although the name is the Central American Black Organization, CABO
says membership and participation are open to anyone. But President Sydney Francis,
who is himself black but from Nicaragua, a predominantly Hispanic country, says
they will focus on developmental issues involving blacks in the region.
Sydney Francis,
“Black people until today are facing numerous problems in terms of
exclusion to exercise their historical rights and this is one of the reasons
that our leaders at that time came to Belize and pulled together this cross
border organization. We expect to gather approximately 200 people to be discussing,
to be analyzing the main press issue that is affecting our people in terms of
education, in terms of health, in terms of economical issues, in terms of political
issues. As you know Central America, as in America, there is a global crisis.”
Tonight’s launch was scheduled to start at 7 and it is open to
the public. Tomorrow is the first full day of the assembly and a forum will
be held from 11:30 to 12:30 at the University of Belize’s West Landivar
campus. On Thursday night there will be a moonlight concert at the House of
Culture. In Belize the National Garifuna Council, the Kriol Council, and the
UBAD Educational Foundation are members of CABO.
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