The African Union Commission has welcomed the adoption of a landmark resolution by the United Nations General Assembly declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as among the gravest crimes against humanity.
In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission praised the passage of resolution A/80/L.48, which was led by the Ghana, describing it as a significant step toward global recognition of the historical injustices endured by Africans and people of African descent.
The Chairperson commended Ghana’s leadership in championing the resolution, noting that it reflects Africa’s longstanding demand for acknowledgment of the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring social, economic, and political consequences.
“This historic decision marks an important step toward truth, justice, and healing, and reinforces the urgent need to address the enduring legacy of slavery,” the Chairperson said.
The resolution formally recognises the scale and gravity of the atrocities associated with slavery, placing renewed emphasis on the need for accountability and sustained global dialogue on its long-term impacts.
It also aligns with increasing calls from African states and the diaspora for reparative justice and institutional acknowledgment of historical wrongs.
The African Union reiterated its position that the consequences of slavery are not confined to history but continue to shape inequalities and systemic challenges faced by African nations and communities worldwide.
The continental body emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes education, remembrance, and policy interventions aimed at addressing these lingering effects.
In its statement, the Commission underscored the need for the international community to confront both historical and contemporary injustices linked to slavery.
It pointed to frameworks such as Agenda 2063, which outlines Africa’s long-term development goals, including the pursuit of justice and equity for people of African descent.
“The African Union reiterates its call for comprehensive acknowledgment of the historical and contemporary impacts of slavery, including the pursuit of reparative justice,” the Chairperson added.
The resolution’s adoption comes amid growing global discourse on racial justice, with several countries and institutions increasingly engaging in debates over reparations, restitution, and formal apologies.
Advocates argue that meaningful redress is essential to addressing entrenched disparities rooted in centuries of exploitation and discrimination.
Analysts say the move by the United Nations General Assembly could provide renewed momentum for such discussions at both international and national levels.
It also signals broader recognition within the global community of the need to address historical injustices in a structured and sustained manner.
The African Union reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the United Nations, its member states, and international partners to advance what it described as “historical justice.”
The Commission stressed that preserving the memory of slavery and ensuring accountability are critical to preventing the recurrence of similar atrocities.
“The African Union remains committed to working with the United Nations, Member States, and partners to advance historical justice and ensure that such crimes are neither forgotten nor repeated,” the statement concluded.
The resolution is expected to play a key role in shaping future international policy discussions on reparations and collective memory, as Africa and its global diaspora continue to push for recognition, justice, and healing.