…African Union lauds resolution
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted resolution A/80/L.48, declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.
The United Nations General Assembly has voted to recognise the slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity,” a move advocates hope will pave the way for healing and justice.
The resolution proposed by West African Country Ghana, called for the designation, while also urging UN member states to consider apologising for the slave trade and contributing to a reparations fund which it does not mention a specific amount of money.
The proposal was adopted with 123 votes in favour and three against – the United States, Israel and Argentina.
According to BBC News Africa, “Fifty-two countries abstained, including the United Kingdom and European Union member states. Countries like the UK have long rejected paying reparations, saying today’s institutions cannot be held responsible for past wrongs.”
However, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf welcomed the development adding and joined the international community in commemorating the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
His Excellency Youssouf’s message is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the AUC Chairperson Mr. Nuur Mohamud Sheekh on Wednesday and made available on the Commission’s office FB handle.
The statement read in part, “On this solemn occasion, the AUC Chairperson pays tribute to the millions of African women, men and children who were forcibly uprooted, subjected to inhumane suffering, and deprived of their dignity and fundamental rights, in what remains one of the darkest chapters in human history.”
The AUC Chairperson underscored that the transatlantic slave trade was not only a profound human tragedy, but also a structural injustice whose enduring consequences continue to affect societies across Africa and the African diaspora.
He noted that in this regard, preserving the memory of these atrocities is essential, alongside a renewed collective commitment to justice, dignity and equality.
Youssouf called for strengthened global efforts to confront the legacy of slavery and to address its lasting socio-economic and cultural impacts.
He reaffirmed the importance of education, remembrance and dialogue as critical tools to combat racism, discrimination and all forms of intolerance.
The AUC Chairperson further reiterated the African Union’s commitment to advancing a global agenda of reparative justice, in line with the continent’s priorities and the aspirations of African peoples and the diaspora.
He maintained that “as the African Union continues to promote unity, solidarity and shared prosperity, this day stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of African peoples and of the enduring imperative to uphold human dignity and justice for all,” the Chairperson noted.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of eji.org.
