Dozens of African royals will converge in Mombasa under the umbrella body Annual Ateker International Development Organisation (AIDO) in a bid to welcome descendants of black people enslaved in different parts of the world over 500 years ago.
The event dubbed AIDO Convention, which is in its fifth edition, seeks to welcome “home” African descendants living away from the continent, some of whom have never stepped foot in Africa.
Among the royals expected home in the event to be held between May 24 and 28 include Paul Jones Eganda and Queen Grace Eganda, the founders of the AIDO Global Network and Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies & Chairman, CARICOM Reparations Commission. The Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Brig. (Retired) Mark Phillips and Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Brown are also scheduled to attend the convention.
"Taking Kings and Queens from Africa to the Americas was lived as a dream by Africa’s grandchildren and therefore the next logical act, AIDO and all partners felt, was to actually transform the life-long dream of many of them into reality. This was to organise a grand pilgrimage - but this time round, for the offsprings of the African men and women who were forcefully captured, taken in bondage and enslaved, five centuries ago to come to Africa – Kenya, and be welcomed home!" Dr Mary Shuttleworth of Youth for Human Rights, also a member of AIDO, says.
AIDO is a not-for-profit, apolitical and knowledge-based non-governmental organisation headquartered in London with Paul Jones Eganda as its Global President.
Previously, the convention has been held once in Africa, in South Africa, with other events being held in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
This year’s convention themed “Culture, Ubuntu and Reparation” seeks to enable attendees to network with Kings and Queens, experience diverse cultures and interact with business moguls.
Other African royals attending AIDO convention
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Antigua and Barbuda Anthony Liverpool, Director Interfaith and AIDO Ubuntu Advisor Martin Weightman, Chairman of Antigua & Barbuda & Vice Chair Dorbrene O’Marde and the King of Cameroon & President, African Indigenous Governance Council Dr Robinson Tanyi.
Others include the King of Accra City and GA Mantse State Dr Nee Tackie, Queen of the Mzilikazi - Zulu Nation Mzilikazi III, Prince of Zulu Royal Kingdom and Chairman AIDO South Africa Phurma Dlamani, Toro of Bade, King of Fulani Nation – Nigeria Bashir Abdulsalam and Paramount Chief of Embo – Kingdom Dr Patrick Marshelle.
According to the organisation, AIDO currently has 657 cultural establishments in 12 countries, with a membership of 2.1 million as of October 2022.
