African Leaders Renew Demand For Slavery Reparations

African and Caribbean leaders have renewed calls for reparations and formal apologies from countries involved in the transatlantic slave trade, describing slavery as a crime whose impact is still felt today.

At the Juneteenth-themed “Next Steps” conference in Accra, delegates from over 80 countries urged former slave-trading nations to offer “full, formal and unconditional apologies” as a step toward reconciliation and reparatory justice.

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said a recent UN resolution recognizing slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity” presents a fresh opportunity for meaningful discussions on reparations.

Participants also revisited proposals for a Global Reparation Fund, while advocates said compensation could include direct payments, development assistance and the return of resources taken during colonial rule.