**Petition: President Biden’s Historic Visit to Angola – A Call for Remembrance, Reconnection, Reparative Justice, and Refugee Equity**

**To: President Joe Biden, The White House**

**Media Contact:**  
Diara J. Townes  
diaratownes@gmail.com

**Cameroon American Council Contact:**  
Sylvie Bello, CEO and Founder of Cameroon American Council  
Cameroon.american.council@gmail.com  
Phone: 1(929) 553-3956

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**Petition Background:**

President Biden’s visit to Angola presents a historic opportunity to honor the long-standing ties between the U.S. and Central Africa, to **remember** the painful history of the transatlantic slave trade, and to **reconnect** with African diaspora communities. The visit should also serve as an opportunity to fulfill President Biden’s **broken promise** to take meaningful action on racial justice, reparative justice, and refugee protections. 

At the heart of this visit is the **$1 billion Lobito Corridor railway project**, which will boost regional economic integration and transform historical routes of exploitation into pathways of economic opportunity. These routes, which once carried enslaved Africans to the Americas, including the first enslaved Africans to Hampton, Virginia in 1619, offer a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when we **remember** the past while **reconnecting** with a shared vision for a more equitable future.

Angola is a country shaped by centuries of Portuguese exploitation, from the transatlantic slave trade to colonial rule. As Angola celebrates 50 years of independence, President Biden’s visit provides an opportunity to reflect on this painful history while reinforcing the U.S.'s commitment to advancing **reparative justice** and **refugee equity** for those still affected by the legacies of colonialism.

Central Africa’s ties to the U.S. are deeply rooted in history and culture, from the **Gullah-Geechee** people’s ancestral connections to Angola to the lasting impact of words like "goobers" (peanuts) and place names such as **Angola**, found in Delaware and Indiana. The shared history and culture between the U.S. and Angola offer a foundation for **reconnection**, but President Biden must take bold action to fully honor this legacy.

**The Broken Promise:**

In 2020, President Biden made a commitment to address racial justice, reparations, and immigration equity. However, to date, many of these promises remain unfulfilled. Through this petition, we join the **Broken Biden Promise Campaign**, urging the President to take meaningful steps to follow through on his commitment to Central Africa and the African diaspora by addressing the following issues during his visit to Angola:

**The Request:**

1. **Expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS)** to include Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and other Central African nations experiencing instability. This will offer protection to refugees fleeing violence and hardship and honor Biden's promise to provide sanctuary to vulnerable communities.

2. **Grant Special Humanitarian Parole** to Cameroonian refugees who are currently fleeing armed conflict and violence. This action would uphold America’s long-standing tradition of providing refuge to those in need and affirm the administration’s commitment to human rights and equity.

3. **Establish the HR40 Commission** to study reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans. The lack of action on reparations has been a broken promise for many years, and President Biden has the opportunity to take significant steps toward healing the wounds of the past.

4. **Invest in African Railway Development**, including the Lobito Corridor project, transforming these historical routes into economic opportunities. This investment would symbolize the commitment to **remembering** the past while working toward future **reconnection** and regional prosperity.

**The Cameroon American Council’s (CAC) 5 Rs Framework:**

The **CAC’s 5 Rs Framework** (Remembrance, Reparations, Revitalization, Refugees, and Reconnection) serves as a clear pathway to achieving a future that honors the painful history of slavery and colonialism while embracing the potential for transformation. Through **remembrance** of the transatlantic slave trade and the painful legacy it left, we can **reconnect** with our shared history and build a more just and equitable future.

Sylvie Ngassa Qwasinwi Bello, the Founder and CEO of the Cameroon American Council, has been an outspoken advocate for these initiatives. Her work, including lobbying for **HR40**, pushing for **TPS** expansion, and leading the **#BidenToCentralAfrica** campaign, has brought national attention to the need for action. Her efforts are part of a broader movement to ensure that Biden’s trip to Angola leads to substantive policy changes that address the **broken promises** to the African diaspora and communities affected by historical injustice.

**A Call to Action:**

This is a pivotal moment for President Biden to turn his promises into reality. By taking decisive action during his visit to Angola, President Biden can finally honor the legacy of the African diaspora, reconnect with the African continent, and lay the groundwork for reparative justice and economic development. The time has come to address the **broken promises** of the past and create a future where racial justice, reparative justice, and refugee protections are firmly established as U.S. priorities.

We urge President Biden to take action now to expand TPS, grant Special Humanitarian Parole, establish the HR40 Commission, and invest in African railway development. These steps will not only honor history but also lay the foundation for future **reconnection** and **healing**.

**Sign Now to Ensure President Biden Fulfills His Promise and Creates a Historic Legacy of Remembrance and Reconnection!**

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**Contact Information for Press Inquiries:**  
**Sylvie Bello**  
CEO and Founder of Cameroon American Council  
Email: Cameroon.american.council@gmail.com  
Phone: 1(929) 553-3956  

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**Sources and Press Coverage:**

* From Chains to Change: Biden’s Legacy on the Line on His Historic Trip to Central Africa in Angola - PAN AFRICAN VISIONS  
* Republished: Biden’s Legacy on His Historic Angola Visit — Sylvie Bello  

**Endorsed by:**  
Sylvie Ngassa Qwasinwi Bello, CEO, Cameroon American Council  
Dr. Nelson O. Aluya, Assistant Professor of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School  
Pastor Samuel B. Manuel, Angolan Faith Community Leader  
Rabbi Kaniki Muteba, French African Faith Leader, Temporary Protected Status For Central Africa Committee  
Nicholas Austin, Gullah-Geechee Descendant

Dominic Tamin, Cameroon American Leader

Olamide Talabi, Nigerian-American Leader 

Kamm Howard, Executive Director, Reparations United