Ambassador Anthony C. Coleiro

Approaching the first year of the State of the African Diaspora - SOAD, Diplomatic Mission in the Republic of Malta, African TV Editor interviewed Ambassador Anthony C. Coleiro. The interview explored various facets of the diplomatic mission in Malta and Gozo, highlighting its commercial, cultural, and diplomatic endeavours that have garnered significant interest from both local communities and international stakeholders.

[A-TV] – News Portal Journalist ‘Interviewer’

[A-Col] – Ambassador Anthony C. Coleiro

[A-TV]

Your Excellency, you have set up the first Diplomatic Mission of the State of the African Diaspora in the world based in Malta. Tell us about this initiative and its success:

[A-Col]

The Malta Diplomatic Mission has launched its mission in July 4th 2023, based its headquarters in the Centre region of Malta at Swatar Msida, just opposite of the University of Malta and about 3km from the Capital City Valletta, where one could also find the Government Administrative Offices including the Office of the Prime Minister – Auberge de Castille and the House of Parliament, very strategic place and easily reached by public and private transport. Our offices, however, accommodates the State of African Diaspora’s Consulate which is manned by a team of professionals within their respective sectors, which is made up of myself as the Residing Ambassador for Malta, a Chargé d' Affaires and 10 Attachés.

The MDM launching was transmitted live on digital platforms by which we are very honoured and overwhelmed with the number of Ministers, Ambassadors, Queens and other African dissidents living in Malta and locals, coming from all walks of life, including strategic persons that represents the business community, politicians, and general public that joined us in such an important event.

Notwithstanding the participation of the Executive Government including Her Excellency Minister of State Department Meme Millie Tucker, to whom our Diplomatic Mission is accountable, our Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Louis - George Tin, His Honourable Deputies - 1st. Vice Prime Minister H.E. Hon. Keturah Kandake Houinodokon and Vice Prime Minister H.E. Hon. Hugh Johnson.

Since our official opening, the task continued with various contacts, meetings with whom is not only interested in the State of African Diaspora concept and objectives but also further to that by showing interest to invest in the African Continent, knowing for a fact that there is a government represented by a State that can monitor, advise and deliver what is required to prepare a solid base for the Diasporas, including careers in their native African Countries.

Our task goes even beyond these objectives; our diplomatic mission is also enhanced with a diplomatic target which will reach also the Government of Malta, a member state of the European Community, to take the expected decision to give accreditation and open its bilateral and commercial doors for the State of African Diasporas. I am entrusted by the Executive Government to take upon a diplomatic and important task to bring together Malta and SOAD together for a solid collaboration for the benefit of the two peoples African Diasporas living in Malta and the Maltese citizens.

[A-TV]

Who are your staff and what services do you offer within your Diplomatic Mission and what are you doing to strengthen Africa through its Diaspora and the Diaspora through Africa?

[A-Col]

The Malta Diplomatic Mission (MDM) Team is made up of selected professionals, in other words I personally selected professionals and made sure that the persons will not be political motivated but technocrats in its sense. I have also indicated the sectors by which we will be focusing upon with the SOAD Government, thus to avoid confusion and overlapping of duties we have secured the sectors according to the SOAD Ministries, thus my team will be more focused and perform their duties efficiently, which are given to my Consulate on voluntary basis, not so easy to reach your targets by ‘volunteers’ but we believe that to reach what SOAD was born would be the base for the strengthening of Africa through its Diaspora and the Diaspora through Africa.

As referred to already the sectors that SOAD’s Diplomatic Mission Team - Malta are the following:

? Security, Diplomacy & International Affairs;

? Medical, Healthcare and Information Technology;

? Social & Public Relations;

? Research & Innovation;

? Green & Global Sustainable Economy;

? Finance, FinTech & Trading;

? Aviation & Shipping;

? Reparation, Restitution and Restoration;

? Infrastructure and Logistics;

? Young & Women Empowerment;

? Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Globalisation;

? Culture & Historical Legacy:

? Education & Employment;

? Political & Legal:

The above are stipulated in an organizational organogram made up of Technocrats and diplomatically team governed by an Executive Administrative Council made up of four high profile board members presided by the Chargé D’ Affaires.

[A-TV]

What are your prospects for the future?

[A-Col]

The prospects are very encouraging and I am also giving information about the projects that we are working upon with and on behalf of the SOAD Government and also projects that are already progressing and planned for the near future.

Since we have started our mission in Malta, we have embarked on various projects which I am proud to say that few of them have already been consolidated by a Memorandum of Understand including the following:

1. African Rating Agency (ARA) and European Rating Agency (ERA) MOUs Signed with these renowned Credit Ratings Agencies. SOAD will collaborate with one of them, the African Rating Agency (ARA). ARA is an independent and sovereign entity working in Africa in accordance with the African Union. It will act in the 6 regions of Africa (including in the African Diaspora). The agency is using the same principles as Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, but includes other features, that are totally unique.

One of them is the Social Responsibility regarding History (SRH). As stated in article 5 of the cooperation agreement, “SOAD will have one officer, fully salaried by ARA, who will be in charge of assessing the customers (countries, companies or any other legal entities) regarding the way how they address human rights, crimes against humanity, restitution and reparation. This assessment will be part of the general assessment.”

After the agreement on the ARA, on the same day, SOAD signed another agreement with the European Rating Agency (ERA). SOAD will also be involved in the SRH in that area, because not only key performance figures and financial data are relevant or even crucial for the standing of a legal entity. As many European countries have ties to the history of colonialism and its long-lasting effects, it will be the responsibility of SOAD to proof and ask, and finally to check out the history of companies from Europe in Africa and in the colonies in regard to the history of colonialism and slavery.

2. The Sollywood Cinematography facilities, a huge project that is earmarked for Kenya, which is already supported with an MOU. SOAD, TIXTER / CONSTANTINO International Film’s Studios signed an agreement to create SOLLYWOOD, the SOAD HOLLYWOOD. an MOU that means among other things to build facilities dedicated to the entertainment industry, theatres, a movie Academy, a movie Festival, new digital technologies (fintech and AI) and movies. Initially, the program was meant to happen in Zambia, but other countries have expressed an interest in it. Therefore, it has become Sollywood, the SOAD Hollywood, a franchise that could be implemented in all the countries that want to express an interest in the matter.

3. Financial Services Consortium has also established their interest to work closer with SOAD and to achieve this objective an MOU has also been signed for the provision of required support for initiatives set out by SOAD, using funds and other investment vehicles set up with the objectives of funding amongst other financial services as required by the Minister of Trade and the Minister of Economy and other related Ministries.

4. Other discussions and opportunities are on the MDM drawing board which will include a special Educational Package that will offer range of services to SOAD educational institutions, organisations and governments with a deep understanding of the global educational landscape. Providing strategic guidance expertise and innovative solutions to support the growth and development of educational institutions in the African Continent under the supervision and monitoring of the Ministry of Education including: -

? Strategic Planning;

? Institutional Assessment and Quality Assurance;

? Accreditation and Compliance;

? International and Global Engagement;

? Program Development and Evaluation;

? Leadership and Professional Development;

? Market Research and Competitive Analysis;

? Policy and Advocacy:

5. Tourism is also being into discussions and we are in discussions with an International Tourism Organization – ISTO, an organisation committed to fair and sustainable tourism for all, and sees inequality as one of the key challenges. ISTO - International Social Tourism Organization is represented in 45 countries with 175 members from Government entities and tourism companies including Africa, Europe, Asia, Americas, and UAE amongst others, and it advocates for tourism that provides its access to all improves the quality of life for communities and individuals, while protecting cultural and natural assets.

Meetings were held with all stakeholders from SOAD Executive Government, Minister for Tourism, Minister of Transport, and Minister for Culture and as to be advised by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Tin and from the ISTO including the Director responsible for Africa's, Members of the Presidium and General Secretary.

The organisation is based in Belgium and is entrusted by the Commercial Department of the European Community. Discussions will follow an MOU to establish all services and opportunities available for the Tourism Sector of Africa.

6. Project's Structural Support Services. We are also in contact with an International Consortium of service providers offering turn key projects on any size and projections to assist in the design, excavation, built, management, and operate for the Smart Cities projects including also the provision of investments opportunities for the agricultural and fishing industries, roads, ports electrical and water plants. An MOU has been signed with SOAD; discussions already took place with the Executive Government of SOAD.

7. AFRICA TV - Discussions are being held with the Executive Government were it has been established the exposure requirements for State of African Diaspora, MDM is also helping out AFRICA TV to organise a Pan - African Conference in August 2024 under the auspices of our Prime Minister, it will also include two days of activities and African Embassies will be invited to exhibit their products during these two days, fashion parades by 30 African models will be invited to Malta for this event. The Malta Tourism Authority is already looped in for their financial and logistical support. More details to follow.

8. Discussions are also underway with the SOAD Executive Government on the subject of advanced technologies for the African Continent, a subject that nowadays seems to be the norm of the day in all continents of the world with an International Company that provides a comprehensive Security-as-a Service platform that brings together Observability, Security Monitoring, Threat Intelligence, and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR). platform helps organizations align strategic and operational goals by exposing the risks and threats that matter most, even with limited budget. Build Resilience and trust through Cyber security to protect the Now and Future Investment

? Africa E-commerce is fueled by Rapid digital adoption

? FinTech innovation driving digital & automated transaction

? Digital-health solutions to improve people’s health and

wellbeing.

9. SOAD and SPACEOMIX forge historic agreement to pioneer DNA sequencing beyond earth’s orbit, starting with lunar exploration. In an unprecedented collaboration, the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) and Spaceomix have inked a groundbreaking partnership poised to transcend boundaries of scientific exploration. The primary focus of this alliance is to embark on an ambitious mission to sequence DNA beyond lower earth orbit that includes the lunar surface and deep space, ushering in a new era of space-based genetic research that has never before ventured beyond Earth’s immediate vicinity.

While Spaceomix has a distinguished history of spearheading innovative space and biomedical initiatives, this upcoming program represents a quantum leap, marking a historic milestone in humanity’s quest to decode genetic information beyond our planet’s confines.

10. Another very important aspect within our Mission task in Malta is that we make it a point to promote the Consulate in Malta so that we give the best exposure SOAD requires. In fact, I together with my Diplomatic team was invited to various occasions where I was asked to deliver speeches as Ambassador for SOAD, including the 2nd. Nigerian Art Contemporary Exhibition in Malta an event where Awards were given to Nigerian Artists that exhibited their works in Malta.

I was also invited in my capacity as Ambassador for the State in two fashion events and beauty pageants which were also transmitted on the local TV stations.

11. We had various interviews by African TV which were also published in the local and international media news portals, additional to social media platforms like FB and LinkedIn and also to my entire International Network. All State news were also published in my Social Media platforms and also sent to be published on news portals in Malta. More invitations have been received including a fashion related event in October 2023 which will also be transmitted live on local TV Stations and on Africa TV.

12. EDUCATION: SOAD signed a cooperation agreement with UNIPLURAL Group Ltd., As explained in the agreement, the two entities will cooperate to establish four faculties, that will reinforce USOAD, the SOAD university:

- Faculty of Healthcare

- Faculty of agriculture

- Faculty of management

- Faculty of tourism

This is a very exciting project to be embarking on. I believe that Uniplural Academy has the right tools and structure to give SOAD the right educational platforms and training to build robust and innovative education structures.

13. SOAD and an International Technological Consortium, have signed an MOU to work in 3 countries in Africa, the first indicated is the of C?te d’Ivoire. ITC is working in several areas that will be very useful for SOAD and its smart cities: clean water, clean energy, agribusiness, aquaculture and tourism. These are the basic items that are necessary for any town to be sustainable.

ITC has been at the forefront in investment in different industries, particularly the renewable energy, water treatment, food manufacturing process and hospitality industries. ITC have been actively seeking to take this investment overseas into new territories, and over the last years ITC has made considerable progress into these countries. ITC believes that with their expertise across multiple sectors, and now this collaboration with SOAD, ITC will continue to expand their operations further in this region.

14. An MOU has been signed by SOAD and an International Company based in Malta for procurement of bespoke solutions for scientific equipment and medical workspaces. The Company has decades of experience and provides custom-made solutions in the design, installation, and maintenance of laboratories, scientific workspaces, and controlled environments.

SOAD’s medical city and telehealth projects have received the necessary approvals for financing and this collaboration with their expertise in ‘Design; Equip; Train and maintain’ medical solutions mean that SOAD has the perfect “one-stop shop” partner for the realization of its medical city and telehealth projects.

With the addition of the Company’s flagship Ophthalmic Centre's of Excellence, our collaboration in delivering foremost state-of-the-art healthcare shall propel Africa as a leading destination for the provision of innovative and cutting-edge health services. The construction of a Pan-African ophthalmology centre responds to urgent needs in the fight against and prevention of blindness. It is a ground-breaking flagship project that will contribute to the international reputation of the diaspora, as it will be a focal point for all the major vision specialists.”

15. The UN ALLIANCE for SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS – UNASDG and SOAD signed a collaboration agreement. the UNASDG hereby confirms its willingness and intention to enter into long-term cooperation with the State of the African Diaspora, hereinafter referred to as “Diaspora”.

Likewise, the State of the African Diaspora hereby confirms its willingness and intention to enter into long-term cooperation with the intergovernmental organization UNASDG, and both organizations fully recognize each other as a full sovereign body by signing this Agreement. The SDGs were defined by the United Nations in 2015 and include 17 objectives such as ? no poverty ?, ? no hunger ?, ? clean water ?, ? clean energy ?, ? gender equality ?, ? quality education ?, etc.

The State of the African Diaspora is very involved in the SDGs, especially through its program to provide agribusiness and to create 25 smart cities in Africa and in the Diaspora, and is working with the UNASDG to raise financing for these initiatives. UNASDG is an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), a platform that provides the assurance of technological know-how and investments for the realization of the SDGs.

As indicated in the convention, “the objectives of the cooperation are the smooth implementation and completion of projects and processes at the technical, environmental, economic, humanitarian and financial levels within the framework of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”

16. SOAD and FAIRMONT ROYAL GROUP OF COMPANIES sign cooperation agreement. the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) and the Fairmont Royal Group of Companies (FRGOC) signed a cooperation agreement. The two entities have identified several areas of cooperation:

- Smart cities;

- Agriculture and Agra-industry;

- Fishing;

- Port and export;

- Transport and logistics;

- Education;

- Tourism and culture:

Fairmont Royal Group of Companies is a multinational development company that was established to promote the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Its management consulting services include agriculture, IT, natural resources, fisheries, education, health, international trade, energy, tourism, human resources, real estate development and climate change. Though FRGOC was first registered in Islamabad, Pakistan, it is now working around the globe.

17. MDM is also in its final stages to set up The Malta - SOAD Friendship and Economic Forum which will promotes friendship, economic and cultural ties between Malta and the State of the African Diaspora.

The establishment of the friendship and economic forum (association) main objective is to establish relations between the two States, representing the European and the African Continent, aimed at bringing the two peoples closer together. The MSFEF has to be set up under the Voluntary Organizational Act and is to be based in Malta. The Forum platform has to provide operational challenges and out existence is to be very much based on the funds raised through membership and other activities.

The Malta - SOAD Friendship and Economic Forum aiming to strengthening bilateral and commercial exchanges will host an Innovation Hub, for the commercialization sectors between the States and the Business Communities, Chambers’ of Commerce and other Institutions and VOs with the support of the Governments, which will assist both sides to develop a strong relation between them in culture, education and the business sector, with the intention that the economic growth will assist more Maltese and African business community to enlarge their activity in the African market and vice versa.

I am also honoured to note that all my activities that I participated by way on invites and also events that we as MDM SOAD hosted were all covered on SOAD State News, Facebook Twitter and Instagram. Jointly with my Diplomatic team we had various introductory meeting and courtesy visits to the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry of Malta, The Malta Chamber of SMEs, The Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Regional Development Authority.

[A-TV]

What is the meaning behind your State Logo?

[A-Col]

The State of the African Diaspora logo has been designed to represent and carry a very special, specific and thoughtful meaning;

The Red Birds represent flying away from the Continent and represents our past, the Ancestors, and oftentimes, in a context of blood and tragedy;

The Blue Birds represents the crossing of the Seas & the Skies to other lands;

The Green Birds represents our present and the lands where we sojourned for hundreds of years until now and, like the birds, we are rising;

The Gold Birds represents our present and future and signifies our glorious reunification with the Motherland.

Quoting The Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Louis-Georges Tin, of the State of the African Diaspora when was questioned about the meaning of the State Logo on the flag declared that:

“WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD TO BEAR AND HONOUR OUR STATE LOGO AND WHAT IT SIGNIFIES. THE COLOURS IN THE LOGO ARE THE COLOURS OF AFRICA, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON MOST AFRICAN FLAGS. WE HOPE THAT OUR CITIZENS OF THE 6TH REGION WILL ALSO FEEL PROUD TO KNOW THEY ARE A PART OF THIS GREAT PAN-AFRICAN RENAISSANCE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY!”

[A-TV]

What about the citizenship of the State of the African Diaspora?

[A-Col]

To be a citizen of the State of the African Diaspora (a Popular Sovereignty), a National Digital Identity Card will be issued. The E-ID Card will serve as a multi-Card, affording SOAD Citizens many benefits, such as financial benefits and rewards, discounts at the USOAD University etc., in addition, many members of the Diaspora aspire to return to Africa.

But some, especially those whose ancestors were deported and enslaved, have no connection with any particular country: their homeland is Africa. In the words of Marcus Garvey, “repatriation is repair.” To foreigners who want to go to Africa, you can apply for a visa; but the sons and daughters of the continent who were deported are not strangers. This is why SOAD has created the identity card.

Only Citizens of SOAD will be able to vote, participate and receive the benefits of being a citizen of a State without Borders of the 6th Region of Africa.

[A-TV]

And what about SOAD Passport, is this also available for the African Diasporas?

[A-Col]

In the future, SOAD will issue its National Passport to support the Africa Free Trade Area and the free movement of the African Diaspora in and out of Africa. The African Union plans were those of issuing its African Union (AU) Passport for the Continent in 2020s.

The first of the electronic passport was unveiled at the 27th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Kigali, Rwanda in 2016 where they were issued to heads of state. Currently, the only other Africans eligible to travel on the passport are Ministers of Foreign Affairs and permanent representatives of AU member states based at the Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Photo: African Union.

[A-TV]

Does the State of the African Diaspora constitute its own Constitution?

[A-Col]

Yes, sure The Constitution of the State of the African Diaspora was promulgated on July 1st, 2018, during the Summit of the African Union.”

SOAD Constitution has also adopted the following laws which are inscribed in the constitution:

o THE LAW ON NATIONALITY AND CITIZENSHIP – (SOADPLLAW 001);

o THE LAW ON RESTITUTION, OR RATHER RECONQUEST – (SOADPLLAW002);

o LAW ON SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIONS – (SOADPLLAW003);

o LAW ON CULTURE, ETHNOCIDE AND SOVEREIGNTY – (SOADPLLAW004);

o PROGRAMMING LAW ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE – (SOADPLLAW005);

o LAW ON THE ROYAL CHAMBER – (SOADPLLAW006);

o CITIZENS’ BILL OF RIGHTS – (SOAD-PLLAW 007);

o AGRIBUSINESS, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY – (SOAD-PLLAW 008);

Since the State of the African Diaspora was created, different Bylaws were adopted.

On October 30, 2021, the Bylaws of the Parliament were adopted in the Plenary Session. While the general principles had already been established by the Constitution, the modalities of their application had yet to be specified. This has now been done: the rules of procedure specify the structure of the Parliament, its missions, the modalities concerning elections, the budget, decision making, revision, etc., different decrees were issued, in the framework of the Government and its Ministries.

But there are also other decrees, in other States or regions, that were inspired or requested by the State of the African Diaspora, in the framework of its diplomatic activity, that includes the Decree on the Electoral Code of SOAD;

The Decree aiming at creating The Royal Chamber of SOAD;

The Decree aiming at creating the University of the State of the African Diaspora (USOAD);

The Decree aiming at creating The Royal Chamber of Mediation of SOAD;

The Decree regarding the creation of the Emergency Response System (ERS);

The Decree on Marriage; Decrees inspired or requested by the Government of the State of the African Diaspora from the Government of Benin.

On June, 21, 2016, the Government of the Republic of Benin issued a Decree asking restitution of their artifacts stolen by France. Among the first justifications of the law are Dr Tin and the campaign he led with the CRAN, the organization he used to lead at this time amongst other Decrees from the Maroon States, Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Decree from the Government of Mauritania regarding the artifacts detained by the Christian authorities in France and recognitions amongst others.

[A-TV]

What are the main programs adopted by the State of the African Diaspora?

o Restitution of African Treasures;

o Pan African commodity Exchange;

o Sustainable Eco- Cities;

o Twinning of Cities;

o The Royal Chamber of SOAD – Kingdoms;

o Return of the African Diasporas back to Africa;

o Digital Slave Route;

o Racism and Discrimination;

o Environment – Climate justice;

o University of SOAD – Education;

o Citizenship of the 6th. Region;

o Foodbank of the Diaspora; Diplomatic Activity;

o The Pan African Satellite;