African leaders demand reparations for slave trade at Pan-African Parliament
African leaders have renewed calls for reparations to address the historical injustices of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid during a session of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa.
The meeting is in accordance with the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” and comes on the back of global pressure on former colonial powers to confront their roles in the transatlantic slave trade.
Thandi Moraka, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, emphasised that reparations are not solely about financial compensation but about restoring the dignity of African people.
“It is no doubt that the African Union has recognised the undeniable need for reparations as a means of addressing the centuries of exploitation, enslavement, colonialism and institutionalised racism that has left deep scars on the African continent and its people generally. Hence, the time has come for the global community to confront the legacy of historical crimes that took place in the form of slavery and the slave trade, and the transatlantic slave trade, and also issues of colonialism and apartheid,” she said.
Prof. Miguel Cesar Domingos Bembe, Angola’s ambassador to Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), also called the meeting a “unique opportunity” to pursue historical justice.
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Noting that, “May it result in consistent proposals, concrete guidelines and a renewed mobilisation of African member states, institutions and societies around the values of justice, dignity and cohesion. Historical justice can no longer be postponed. Excellencies, the time for reparation is now, the dignity of all peoples demands determined, courageous and transformative action equal to the challenges of the present and the legitimate aspirations of future generations,” he said.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
