#Ghana #Accra #Reparations #UNGA 2025 #Colonialism

African Leaders Unite for Reparative Justice at the UN General Assembly

At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, a coalition of African leaders came together to demand reparative justice for the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism. This unprecedented call for reparations was not only a moral appeal but also a declaration against the ongoing historical neglect demonstrated by Western powers towards these grave injustices.

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, who serves as the African Union Champion for Reparations, took center stage with a powerful address. He classified the slave trade as "the greatest crime against humanity," emphasizing the forced displacement of over 12.5 million Africans, which enriched Western nations at the expense of African lives and lands. "We must demand reparations for the enslavement of our people and the colonization of our land, which resulted in the theft of our natural resources," he asserted, highlighting the hypocrisy that Western governments provided reparations to former slave owners while ignoring the plight of the enslaved.

Moreover, President Mahama emphasized the worth of African lives and lands, reminding the assembly of the historical irony in reparations paid out to those who benefited from slavery instead of the victims themselves.

Central African Republic's President Faustin Archange Touadera echoed this sentiment, advocating for a departure from the era of Africa’s dependence on the global North. "The time of subordination is over; we must seek genuine sovereignty and partnerships built on mutual respect and not exploitation,” he proclaimed. His remarks resonated deeply, acknowledging the ongoing inequalities that continue to afflict Africa as wealth accumulates in wealthier nations.

Bolivia's President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora introduced specific proposals to address historical injustices, calling for the establishment of a dedicated UN commission to tackle reparations related to slavery, apartheid, colonialism, and genocide. He argued that such a commission should lay out effective measures to restore historical justice, including financial reparations, environmental restorations, and the restitution of culturally significant artifacts.

President Arce also called for the architects of historical crimes to contribute significantly to a reparations fund, urging a collaborative effort between the African Union and CELAC in addressing the long-lasting impacts of colonialism.

A dominant theme among these leaders was their deep disappointment in the Global North for its lack of engagement in discussions surrounding reparative justice. They expressed a collective frustration at Western nations' unwillingness to acknowledge their historical responsibilities and the ongoing impacts of their colonial pasts.

This push for reparations at the UN General Assembly marks a substantial escalation in the global reparations movement, suggesting that the demands of formerly colonized nations can no longer be overlooked in international discourse. The collective voices and firm stances from African leaders signal a strong commitment to pursuing justice and equality, even in the face of historical injustices that continue to reverberate today. In delivering their messages during the UNGA debate, these leaders not only called out the silence but also solidified a united front that seeks to rewrite the narrative of colonial legacy.

As reparations become an increasingly prominent topic within international conversations, this assembly will likely serve as a historic moment that could shape the future relations between the Global South and the Global North. The demand for recognition of past atrocities and a commitment to reparative justice promises to remain central in the dialogues that will follow, challenging former colonial powers to confront their past and take responsibility in meaningful ways.