Africa’s pursuit of reparative justice has transformed from a quiet appeal into an unshakable movement, championed at the highest level by President John Dramani Mahama. As the African Union’s Champion for Reparations, he declared that the continent is no longer pleading, it is demanding restitution, dignity, and systemic redress for centuries of exploitation.
Delivering a major progress report at the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, President Mahama emphasized that the theme of the AU for 2025, Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations, is not symbolic. It is a rallying call to correct historical wrongs through deliberate policies and strategic action.
Mahama welcomed the AU Executive Council’s decision to extend the reparations campaign from 2026 to 2036, ensuring the momentum continues beyond slogans. He stressed that Africa must move beyond advocacy into implementation, integrating reparations into national development strategies. Every African government, he argued, must treat reparations as a policy imperative.
This growing movement is not seeking charity, it demands justice. It calls for comprehensive restitution: financial compensation for centuries of slavery and exploitation, technology transfers to bridge the colonial-era industrial gap, and dedicated funds to reinvest in education, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Mahama also announced that Ghana and Togo will jointly lead a high-level United Nations event in September 2025 to accelerate global dialogue and action on reparations. He affirmed that securing reparations is central to reclaiming Africa’s identity, rebuilding its economies, and restoring the dignity of its people.
The push is further bolstered by a resolution from the Pan-African Progressive Front, echoing Kwame Nkrumah’s long-held vision of continental unity in the face of historical injustice.
The road ahead will not be easy. No colonial power will willingly surrender what it owes. Yet Africa’s demand is grounded in moral clarity and historical truth. Through coordinated efforts across the AU and global partnerships, the continent is positioned to redefine its future, not by begging, but by boldly reclaiming what is rightfully its own.
