Brussels, 03 July 2020/OACPS: As the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU) seek to finalise their new 20+ year Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement, the President-in-Office of the OACPS, H.E. Mr. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, has written a letter to condemn the unilateral publication of the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Blacklist to H.E. Mr Charles Michel, President of the European Council, H.E. Mrs Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (EC) and H.E. Mr. David Maria Sassoli, President of the European Parliament.

Ten Members of the OACPS appear on the list of third countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism regimes, that are said to pose significant threats to the EU’s financial system. The list was published on 19 June 2020.

The publication of the list came despite previous interventions at the level of the OACPS Secretariat by the Secretary-General, H.E. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, calling for consultation and dialogue on the matter.

The letter from President Kenyatta deplored the fact that the list tarnishes the images of the affected countries and could put them at risk of having strengthened control measures applied to their financial flows. He also emphatically stated the OACPS’ position and reiterated its willingness “to fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism in the spirit of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.” The letter continued, “Given that the OACPS and the EU are about to conclude a new Partnership Agreement, there is no better time to demonstrate our engagement to dialogue and a strengthened partnership”.