Mahama Urges Reparations for Slave Trade at AU Summit

At the 38th African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa in February 2025, former President John Dramani Mahama delivered a powerful call for reparatory justice in line with the AU's 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.” He emphasized that acknowledging historical wrongs is not enough—it must be backed by meaningful collective action

???? Key Messages from Mahama’s Speech

• Reparatory Justice is Essential
  Mahama described the transatlantic slave trade as "one of history's most heinous crimes against humanity," noting that over 12.5 million Africans were forcibly displaced, with around 2 million perishing during the Middle Passage Enduring Impacts of Historical Injustice
  He highlighted how slavery, colonialism, apartheid, genocide, and neo-colonial exploitation have left "deep and enduring scars" — including economic disparities, social inequality, systemic discrimination, and entrenched racial prejudice From Talk to Action
  Mahama urged stronger legal and institutional frameworks—national, regional, and international—to ensure reparations are more than mere rhetoric 

• A Pan‑African & Global Coalition Required
  He called for unity among African states, European governments, the African diaspora, civil society, and international partners, referencing the 2023 Accra Reparations Conference as a key milestone Multi-faceted Reparation Approach
  Mahama stressed that reparations extend beyond financial compensation to include restitution, rehabilitation, formal apologies, and guarantees against recurrence 

???? Broader Context & Next Steps

• The AU's 2025 theme aligns with Agenda 2063, aiming to heal historical wounds and build an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous continent

• Accra’s 2023 Reparations Conference led to the establishment of a Global Reparation Fund, backed by both the AU and CARICOM, as a financial instrument to drive reparatory justice 

• Mahama’s remarks echo growing momentum—including calls for apologies from European powers and the establishment of legal instruments—signaling a shift from symbolic gestures to actionable pathways for reparations 

????️ What Mahama Is Demanding

???? Why It Matters

Mahama’s speech brings renewed urgency to reparations—placing them at the center of Africa’s public discourse. It reframes reparatory justice from a historical grievance to a call for systemic transformation, encompassing economic investment, truth-telling, and global solidarity.

For Africa’s next chapter to be fair and prosperous, Mahama insists not just on remembrance, but on restoration. As the AU-led reparations agenda unfolds, real change will depend on political will, international cooperation, and concrete reparative policies.