From history to healing: Mahama leads call for Reparatory Justice in AU.

Former President John Dramani Mahama has restated his strong commitment to fighting for reparatory justice or compensatory justice for Africans and people of African descent. This comes as the African Union (AU) names 2025 the Year for Reparatory Justice.

In a message to mark Africa Day 2025, Mahama who serves as the AU’s official champion for the reparations agenda said he is ready to work with African leaders and international partners to achieve long-term justice. “The AU has declared 2025 as the year for justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations,” he stated. “As the AU champion for this critical cause, I am deeply committed to working with you all to achieve this objective.”

The AU’s decision is part of a broader effort to address the lasting impacts of slavery, colonialism, and systemic oppression.

Mahama highlighted that this decision was first made at the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU in February 2024, when African leaders agreed to focus on reparatory justice in 2025. He said this aligns with Africa’s ongoing efforts for freedom, unity, and economic development as outlined in Agenda 2063, which envisions a united and prosperous continent.

Mahama described the transatlantic slave trade as one of the worst crimes in history. “Spanning about 400 years and forcibly displacing more than 12.5 million Africans, it is estimated that at least two million of our compatriots perished during the Middle Passage alone,” he said.

He explained that slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and modern exploitation have left deep wounds, and their effects still hurt African societies today. “Today, the descendants of enslaved Africans continue to face economic disparities, social inequality, systemic discrimination, and racial prejudices.”

He emphasized the need for action: “It demands action.” He noted that Africa lost trillions of dollars through colonial exploitation, adding, “Colonial policies intentionally stifled industrial growth, leading to a dependency on foreign economies that persist even to today.”

Mahama said the AU’s theme for 2025 is a call to action to restore the dignity, rights, and well-being of Africans and their descendants. “Reparations involves not only financial compensation, but also restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition for the abuse of fellow human beings,” he said.

He added, “It is also about truth-telling, historical accountability, and the restoration of agency to those who have been marginalized for centuries.” For him, reparations also include fixing inequality, improving education and jobs, protecting cultural heritage, and ensuring African voices are heard around the world.