Amid persistent resistance to slavery reparations, African leaders are ramping up efforts to address historical injustices.
At the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, held from February 15 to 16, one of the central topics of discussion was reparations for slavery and colonialism. The renewed push comes as former colonial powers attempt to reconcile with their past, though many remain reluctant to engage in substantive reparations efforts.
Globally, the issue of reparations has sparked heated debates. U.S. President Donald Trump previously dismissed the idea, stating he “doesn’t see it happening,” while European leaders have largely avoided serious discussions on the matter.
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During the summit, African leaders sought to establish a “unified vision” for reparations, which could include financial compensation, formal acknowledgments of past injustices, policy reforms, and land restitution, Reuters reported.
“Reparations is the hot topic in Addis Ababa,” the AU’s Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) wrote on X.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped and forcibly transported by European merchants to be sold into slavery. The legacy of this brutal history, coupled with the effects of colonial rule, continues to manifest in economic disparities, systemic racism, and Africa’s ongoing debt crisis.
“It is increasingly difficult to ignore the damage caused by slavery and colonialism,” said Zimbabwean lawyer and reparations expert Alfred Mavedzenge.
Advocates argue that reparations should extend beyond financial compensation. William Carew, ECOSOCC’s head of secretariat, emphasized that reparations are about more than money—they are about acknowledging the past and ensuring a just future.
The AU outlined potential reparative measures, including the return of land taken from Indigenous populations, restitution of cultural artifacts, and policy reforms to dismantle systemic inequalities. The organization also called for international bodies, such as the United Nations, to hold former colonial powers accountable, potentially through diplomatic pressure or legal action.
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In 2023, the AU partnered with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to advance the reparations agenda. CARICOM has its own reparation strategy, which includes demands for technology transfers and investments to address health crises and illiteracy.
Three decades after the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the AU’s predecessor, issued a declaration demanding reparations for slavery and colonialism, little progress has been made.
Jose Maria Neves, president of Cape Verde, attributes the stagnation to the rise of right-wing populism, which he says has stifled moderate political discourse and made serious debates on reparations nearly impossible.
In Portugal—the country that enslaved more Africans than any other—far-right party Chega went so far as to propose charging the president with treason for merely suggesting that reparations should be considered.
Meanwhile, in Britain, right-wing populist Nigel Farage dismissed the idea, warning that Prime Minister Keir Starmer would appear “weak” if he engaged in discussions on the matter. In France, where far-right influence is growing, President Emmanuel Macron has categorically ruled out reparations, instead calling for “reconciliation.”
“My biggest concern is that this AU summit will spark discussion, but the resolutions will never be implemented,” cautioned Mavedzenge.
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