Steps were taken to right the tragic wrong done to the family of Dr. Walter Rodney who was ruthlessly assassinated on June 13th, 1980. Reports point to the Forbes Burnham-led government as having orchestrated the murder of this great pan-African Historian – the author of How Europe Underdeveloped Africa This book changed our President’s perspective about Africa’s development since his undergraduate days. It is also the foundation for the formation of our organisation, YALF.

Dr. Walter Rodney was a promising and intelligent 38 year old young man who wanted a better society characterised by Justice and Equality. He was a Scholar-Activist, who taught as a Senior Lecturer in different universities and held a series of Groundings with young people in different countries across the globe. He had the boldness to confront the political and social injustice in his time. He inspired and empowered youths intellectually – and with practical examples.

Today, justice is being served. Dr. Rodney was vindicated after 41 years. Following the recent announcement in Parliament By the Attorney-General of Guyana – Anil Nandlall, Rodney’s Gravesite and Memorial  will now become National Monuments managed by the Guyana National Trust (GNT). His children’s books Kofi Baadu-Out of Africa and Lakshmi-Out of India will be added to the syllabus for primary and secondary students. His seminal text, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa will be available to the University community.

The government of Guyana also confirmed that Rodney’s cause of death will be amended to delete the word ‘’misadventure’’ and it will now read ‘’Death by Assassination.’’ His records would also be amended to read that Dr. Rodney was a “Professor” instead of “unemployed”.

We savour this victory!!!

Signed,

Danny Matondo,

Head of Communications,

Young African Leaders Forum