President John Dramani Mahama, African Union Champion for Reparations, has announced plans to introduce a motion at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) calling for Western nations to pay reparations to Africa.
Speaking at the 80th UNGA session in New York, President Mahama described the transatlantic slave trade as “the greatest crime against humanity,” noting that over twelve and a half million Africans were forcibly taken to enrich powerful Western nations. He stressed the need to demand reparations for slavery, colonisation, and the ongoing retention of cultural artefacts. “We recognise the value of our land and the value of our lives,” he said.
Highlighting historical injustice, he recalled that colonial powers paid compensation to former slave owners for freed enslaved people, a practice he contrasted with the absence of reparations for African nations.
Addressing contemporary challenges, President Mahama cited rising defence spending by bilateral partners and a 40 per cent drop in humanitarian aid to Africa since July 2024. He called for African nations to exercise sovereignty over their natural resources and negotiate better terms for foreign investments.
“We are tired of the continued image of poverty-stricken, disease-ridden rural communities, living at the periphery of huge foreign-controlled natural resource concession areas,” he said. “We are tired of having people extract the most they can from us and, in return, offer us the very least by way of respect, consideration, and dignity.”
Quoting Indian-American writer Arundhati Roy, President Mahama said: “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” He added that for Africa—and personally for his 18-year-old daughter—he hoped this emerging world would offer safety and equality for women and girls, urging African leaders to empower all citizens to reach their full potential.
The African Union, during its Mid-Year Review in July in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, extended the theme of reparations for a decade, from 2026 to 2036, with President Mahama designated as AU Champion for the initiative.
