Africa Unites in Powerful Call for Reparative Justice, Demands Global Recognition of Historical Wrongs

At the 7th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the AU and Regional Economic Communities on Sunday, 13th July, 2025 in the Equatorial Guinea, that echoes the spirit of pan-Africanism, Ghana’s President H.E John Dramani Mahama has escalated his demand for reparations, transforming what was once a whisper into a unified, resolute cry for justice and dignity.
President Mahama cited inspiration from Marcus Garvey’s profound words that “a people without the knowledge of their past history… is like a tree without roots,” the African Reparations Strategy Meeting has set a bold 2025 agenda focused on comprehensive restitution for centuries of historical injustices.
“Restitution to the African therefore is restoration of our full dignity. It is to speak of history on African terms, of healing deep civilizational wounds and of restoring to African people our rightful agency in shaping our past, our present and our future.” President Mahama emphasized
“As we implement the 2025 theme of the year on justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations, we reaffirm our shared resolve to correct the historical wrongs and injustices through restitution, healing and holistic, systemic transformation, “ President Mahama said.
He maintained that, it is essential for Africa to articulate a unified and compelling narrative for reparations on the global stage.
“The strategy centers on a multi-pronged approach, including strategic partnerships with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and a planned high-level summit in September 2025. This collaborative effort aims to articulate a compelling global narrative that goes beyond monetary compensation, seeking to restore cultural identity, sovereignty, and systemic healing.” He stated .
President Mahama underscored key objectives include developing robust international mechanisms, advocating for the recognition of African historical experiences, and creating platforms that allow Africans to reclaim their narrative on their own terms.
The meeting signals a transformative moment, where reparations are viewed not just as financial recompense, but as a fundamental process of restoring dignity, agency, and historical truth for Africans and people of African descent worldwide.
President Mahama disclosed that, the upcoming AU-CARICOM summit is expected to be a critical milestone in this ongoing journey towards justice and reconciliation.
“It is hoped that the side event themed high level panel on reparations, memory and sovereignty, common African position and the restoration of heritage resources, which was postponed from being held in the margins of this meeting, will be subsequently convened in the side-lines of the upcoming AU CARICOM summit to showcase this timely and all important issue.” He added.