Monday, 14 July

President Mahama renews call for reparations at AU mid-year meeting

Politics
President John Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has renewed Africa’s call for reparations, describing it as no longer a whisper but a unified and resounding demand for justice, dignity, and historical redress.

Speaking at the 7th African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting held yesterday in Equatorial Guinea, President Mahama anchored his message on the AU’s 2025 theme, which focuses on justice for Africans and people of African descent.

He called for a global reckoning that goes beyond financial compensation to encompass healing, recognition, and systemic transformation.

“Reparations are not merely about money—they are about restoring dignity, confronting history, and charting a new path forward rooted in truth and equity,” President Mahama said.

Underscoring the need for a collective continental stance, he emphasised the importance of Africa speaking with one voice on the global stage.

He also announced a strategic alliance between the African Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to strengthen the push for reparations and amplify the voices of people of African descent worldwide.

As part of this growing momentum, President Mahama revealed that a high-level panel discussion on reparations, memory, and heritage—originally planned for the current meeting—has been postponed and will now take place on the sidelines of an upcoming AU summit.

 

The President’s address marks a significant step in the AU’s ongoing efforts to demand accountability and justice for the historical injustices of slavery, colonialism, and exploitation endured by African people and their descendants.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Pearl Ollennu