The African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has called on former colonial powers to acknowledge historic crimes, offer meaningful reparations and dismantle structural and systemic injustice against the people of Africa.
Youssouf made the call at the 2nd Africa-Caribbean Summit being opened in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia on Sunday, under the theme “Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”
The chairperson said it is an obligation for former colonial powers to acknowledge the crimes committed against African peoples and descendants.
“Repentance alone is no longer sufficient. Demands for reparations are legitimate and help alleviate the suffering of our ancestors and address current structural inequalities,” Youssouf emphasised.
Noting that the slave trade, slavery and colonization have changed the course of shared history, Youssouf stressed the architecture of the global economy perpetuates a system inherited from those dark ages.
“This is why restorative justice is in no way a request for charity or favour,” the chairperson added.
He said it is about restoring a minimum of justice and equity for the crimes committed, said the AUC chairperson, noting that the African Union and CARICOM must work to strengthen this solidarity for the common cause: recognition of these crimes, repentance and reparations.
“Beyond our collective action on reparations, it is also our responsibility to promote investment, trade, innovation and research between our two regions,” Youssouf said.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said the United Nations welcomes the growing consensus towards reforming global institutions, such as the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions.
MG/as/APA