UN Secretary-General Makes Urgent Call for Reparatory Justice Framework

At the opening of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for a reparatory justice framework to address historical grievances faced by Africa and its descendants. Guterres highlighted that Africa has endured two significant injustices: colonialism and the trans-Atlantic slave trade, whose effects continue to resonate today.

The AU echoed these sentiments, stating that the legacies of colonialism, slavery, apartheid, and systemic racial discrimination have inflicted socio-economic, cultural, and psychological scars on African populations. This year’s summit theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” underscores the urgent need for redress.

Guterres criticized the current international financial architecture as “outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair,” asserting that Africa’s lack of permanent representation in global governance is unacceptable. He noted that political independence alone does not resolve the exploitative structures established during colonial times.

To address these issues, the UN plans to introduce a new pact aimed at reforming the international financial system, ensuring fair representation for Africa, and promoting debt relief. Guterres’s call to action signals a pivotal moment for justice and equity in the global arena.