The imperative for reparatory justice for Africa and the African diaspora was a central focus of discussions held on Tuesday at the fourth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on African Descent. Speakers at the event emphasized the pressing need for enhanced collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, and regional bodies to establish a system capable of providing redress for the enduring consequences of historical injustices, including colonialism, enslavement, apartheid, and genocide, which occurred between the 16th and 19th centuries.
During the session, Hilary Brown, representing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), articulated the profound and lasting impact of these historical events. "Africa was under siege," Brown stated, highlighting the extensive period of enslavement and exploitation that spanned three centuries. She further noted the destabilization of the continent's "political, economic and social systems" as a result of European exploitation of its people.
A key aspect of the discussions involved the strengthening alliance between CARICOM and the African Union (AU). The AU's designated theme for 2025, "Justice for Africans and the People of African Descent through reparations," signifies the growing international attention to this issue. Brown emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, "With a strengthened partnership with the AU, the global reparations movement is at a defining moment and inflection point marked by a united global Africa finally coming together to speak with one voice on seeking justice for Africans and people of African descent."
Brown advocated for the development of a "clear, diplomatic and advocacy strategy" to advance the agenda through concerted action within the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and other relevant intergovernmental organizations. She also proposed the convening of a high-level forum dedicated to the issue of reparatory justice and underscored the necessity of engaging in negotiations with all entities that benefited from African enslavement, including governments, academic institutions, religious organizations, and the private sector.
Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission, Angela Naa Afoley Odai conveyed the collective stance of the 55-member AU bloc in seeking "a collective approach towards seeking regress." She referenced the reparations summit held in Ghana in 2025, where delegates reached an agreement to establish a Global Reparations Fund to be based on the African continent, with further details pending.
The crucial role of civil society in advocating for reparations was also highlighted during the forum. Nkechi Taifa, director of the Reparation Education Project, emphasized the grassroots nature of the movement, stating, "It was not governments but the unstoppable fire of the people that ignited the global movement for reparations." Taifa paid tribute to civil society leaders such as Audely Moore and Marcus Garvey, underscoring the enduring commitment of the diaspora to the pursuit of justice and noting the continued connection of "Africa's children – displaced, but never disconnected." She further emphasized the importance of the Permanent Forum as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between civil society and governments in shaping global reparations agendas.
The discussion was moderated by Permanent Forum member June Soomer, who described reparatory justice as a "critical and urgent global priority." The Chairman of the Permanent Forum, Martin Kimani, offered welcoming remarks at the session.
The United Nations has previously acknowledged the historical injustices of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as crimes against humanity and has called for remedial action. In remarks prepared for the opening of the Permanent Forum, Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed the international community's obligation to strive for "reparatory justice frameworks grounded in international human rights law, developed with the inclusive and meaningful participation of affected communities" to address past wrongs and ongoing injustices resulting from racism. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in 2001, also includes provisions for "remedial actions" in addressing racial discrimination.
The discussions at the UN Permanent Forum underscore the persistent and growing international focus on the issue of reparatory justice for Africa and the African diaspora, highlighting the need for concrete and collaborative efforts to address the lasting consequences of historical injustices.