In order to secure reparations and justice for Africans and people of African descent, President John Dramani Mahama has urged his fellow heads of state to work together.
At the ongoing 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, President Mahama introduced the African Union theme for 2025. He stated that more robust legal and institutional frameworks at the national, regional, and global levels are necessary to pursue justice.
“We must continue to advocate for stronger legal and institutional mechanisms… to ensure that justice for the historical trauma inflicted on global Africa is not just a conversation, but a reality,” he said.
Generations of Africans and people of African descent have been affected by historical injustices and their lasting effects, which the African Union is focusing on this year. “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations” is the central theme.
As President Mahama pointed out, the initiative supports the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for a prosperous, peaceful, and united continent.
The initiative seeks to end the culture of silence and denial surrounding racism and colonialism by mobilizing political will, fostering partnerships, engaging stakeholders, raising awareness, and promoting dialogue.
According to President Mahama, the November 2023 Accra Reparations Conference strengthened advocacy and policy frameworks while reinforcing the need for full reparatory justice.
He clarified that cooperation between European member states, regional economic communities, and the worldwide African diaspora is necessary to achieve justice.
According to President Mahama, the terrible consequences of colonialism, apartheid, genocide, the transatlantic slave trade, and neo-colonial exploitation have led to racial prejudice, systemic discrimination, economic inequality, and social inequality.
He pointed out that over 12.5 million Africans were forcibly displaced during the roughly 400-year transatlantic slave trade, making it one of the most horrific crimes against humanity.
The legacy of this cruel system, together with colonialism, apartheid, genocide, and new colonial exploitation, has left a lasting impact on the fabric of our societies, he continued, adding that President Mahama estimated that two million Africans died during the Middle Passage alone.
“The economic impact of colonialism on Africa has been profound, with the continent losing trillions of dollars in both human and material resources due to colonial exploitation,” President Mahama said.
President Mahama noted that the descendants of enslaved Africans continue to face economic disparities, social inequality, systemic discrimination, and racial prejudices.
He said addressing these challenges requires more than just acknowledging them.
“It demands action. We must continue to advocate for stronger legal and institutional mechanisms at the national, regional, and international levels to ensure that justice for the historical trauma inflicted on global Africa is not just a conversation but a reality.”
