Malabo: President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated that Africa's call for reparations is now a unified demand. 'Africa's call for reparative justice is no longer a whisper-it is a unified demand grounded in historical truth, moral clarity, and our unwavering commitment to dignity,' he stated.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama, who serves as the African Union Champion for Reparations, made this declaration in his progress report at the Seventh African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordinating Meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The Summit, themed 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,' aimed to coordinate the efforts of the AU, Regional Economic Communities, and Regional Mechanisms.
President Mahama highlighted notable progress achieved by the AU Commission and Member States in implementing the theme. He expressed satisfaction with the Executive Council's recent decision to extend the focus on reparations for a decade, covering the period from 2026 to 2036. 'This undoubtedly affords us, as a Union, the opportunity to sustain the momentum for the realization of this noble cause, as well as map out well-thought-out strategies to mobilize adequate resources to champion implementation of the theme domestically,' President Mahama said.
He also called for global partnerships, urging nations within and beyond Africa to collaborate in creating a more just and equitable world. He emphasized the deep connection between reparations and African identity and dignity, declaring, 'Restitution to the African, therefore, is restoration of our full human dignity.'
President Mahama underscored the necessity of reparations for African progress and unity, arguing, 'We cannot speak of development without identity or speak of unity without acknowledging the erasure that has fractured our heritage.' He stressed the importance of a unified African narrative on the global stage and encouraged robust partnerships, particularly with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Looking ahead, he announced that Ghana and Togo would co-sponsor a high-level event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025 to further bolster efforts at achieving justice and closure that have eluded Africa for centuries. 'As we do more to correct historical wrongs, we are reasserting our full humanity. We are reaffirming our sovereignty. We are reigniting the flame of dignity that has always burned within the African soul,' he assured, pledging Ghana's continued support for this agenda towards 'The Africa We Want.'
