Rastafarian Protest in Montego Bay Signals Jamaica’s Enduring Engagement with African Sovereignty Debates

Members of the Rastafarian community in western Jamaica gathered this week at Sam Sharpe Square to demonstrate solidarity with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, aligning themselves with a wider global movement expressing support for his leadership and resistance to external political pressure.

The demonstration, held in Montego Bay, formed part of coordinated protests reported in several countries and reflected long-standing Pan-African and anti-colonial sentiments within sections of Jamaican society. Participants framed the gathering not as a domestic political intervention, but as an expression of shared historical experience and ideological alignment with African struggles for sovereignty and self-determination.

At the centre of the protest were Rastafarian elders and clergy who praised Traoré’s emphasis on national control over resources, education, and economic direction. Wesley Kelly, a senior figure within the Rastafarian community, described the Burkina Faso leader as representing a people-centred approach to governance and urged Jamaican political leaders to reflect on models of leadership that prioritise liberation, equity, and cultural identity.

Chants of African unity accompanied the waving of Pan-African flags, with speakers repeatedly linking Jamaica’s own history of enslavement, colonial rule, and resistance to contemporary events unfolding across West Africa. The messaging focused heavily on themes of resource ownership, generational responsibility, and protection of national assets—ideas that resonate deeply within Jamaica’s post-colonial consciousness.

Another elder, known as “Teacher”, emphasised what he described as Traoré’s efforts to safeguard Burkina Faso’s natural wealth and intellectual capital for future generations. He framed these actions as part of a broader continental shift, pointing to recent developments in several African states seeking to reduce foreign military and economic influence.

A smaller, related demonstration reportedly took place near the United States Embassy in St Andrew, underscoring the symbolic nature of the protests and their focus on global power structures rather than local Jamaican policy.

Traoré, who came to power after removing the country’s previous interim leader, acknowledged international support in a public message earlier this year, thanking Pan-Africanists and members of the African diaspora for standing with Burkina Faso’s vision of sovereignty and reform. Since assuming office, he has pursued policies aimed at distancing the country from its former colonial ruler, France, while promoting national self-reliance and cultural renewal.

While the protest does not directly intersect with Jamaica’s domestic governance or policy framework, it highlights the persistence of transnational political identity among Jamaicans, particularly within Rastafarian and Pan-African communities. These movements continue to view global struggles over land, resources, and self-determination as interconnected with Jamaica’s own historical and social journey.

The gathering in Montego Bay also reflects how public spaces in Jamaica remain important sites for expressing solidarity, dissent, and cultural memory. Such demonstrations, though symbolic, reinforce the island’s ongoing engagement with global debates about sovereignty, development models, and the legacy of colonialism.

As international alignments shift and debates over resource control intensify worldwide, Jamaica’s civil society responses—especially those rooted in historical identity—offer insight into how global events are interpreted through local experience. These expressions, while not policy-driven, continue to shape national conversation around autonomy, heritage, and the meaning of liberation in a modern Caribbean state.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and commentary purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Readers should seek professional guidance appropriate to their individual circumstances.