The global community has taken a significant step forward in addressing the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade. In a historic conference held in Accra, Ghana, African and Caribbean leaders adopted a comprehensive framework for reparatory justice, demanding formal apologies and compensation from countries that benefited from the brutal system of enslavement.
This landmark gathering, which took place over three days, brought together heads of state, government officials, and experts from more than 80 countries. The conference was a direct response to the recent United Nations resolution that declared the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
Adoption of the 19-point global framework for reparatory justice
The centerpiece of the conference was the formal adoption of a 19-point global framework for reparatory justice. This document outlines a series of measures aimed at addressing the historical injustices of enslavement, colonialism, genocide, and apartheid. Key points include:
- Calls for full, formal, and unconditional apologies from all state and non-state institutions that have not yet done so
- Commitments to ensure fair and adequate compensation for affected Africans and people of African descent
- Plans to expedite the return of cultural property, human remains, archives, and heritage to their countries of origin
- Multilateral measures to address sovereign debt burdensincluding debt relief, to tackle lasting socioeconomic impacts
The framework was developed through an inclusive process that involved representatives from Africa, the African diaspora, and non-African allies. Ruth Ogbewekon, the project lead on reparatory justice at the Pan African Lawyers Union, emphasized the importance of this collaborative approach, stating that the process aimed to be transparent and inclusive, ensuring that all voices were heard.
Establishment of global panels to drive reparatory justice forward
During the conference, Ghana’s President John Mahama announced the creation of three global panels to serve as the pillars of the next phase of this international effort. These panels are designed to provide intellectual, technical, and policy support to strengthen the work of governments, regional organizations, and international institutions.
The advisory panel on reparatory justice
The advisory panel on reparatory justice comprises leaders with historic ties to the transatlantic slave trade in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Notable members include President Mahama, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, and presidents Joseph Boakai Sr. of Liberia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal. This panel will provide strategic guidance and advance international dialogue on reparatory justice.
The expert panel on the restitution of cultural artefacts
The expert panel on the restitution of cultural artefacts is tasked with facilitating the return of cultural properties, archives, sacred objects, and historical treasures to their communities and countries of origin. This panel includes representatives from Egypt, Peru, South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, and the Smithsonian’s Museum of the African Diaspora.
The global legal panel on reparatory justice
The global legal panel on reparatory justice consists of distinguished jurists and legal scholars who will develop legal pathways consistent with international law and human dignity. Members include Attorney Benjamin Crump, Philip Sands, Professor Tendai Achiume, and representatives from Jamaica, Ghana, Brazil, and the Pan-Africanist Lawyers Union.
International support and commitments
The conference saw significant international support, with French President Emmanuel Macron participating virtually from the Élysée Palace. Macron acknowledged the dehumanizing nature of slavery and emphasized that reparations should not be seen as an end point but as a step towards healing and justice. He stated, “Enslaved people were torn from their homelands, deported, dehumanised, and treated as goods.”
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados delivered a powerful address, presenting the revised CARICOM 10-point reparation plan. She emphasized the need for a coordinated global effort to pursue reparatory justice and urged participants not to embark on separate journeys but to work together towards a common goal. Mottley also highlighted the disproportionate impact of slavery on girls and women, calling for specific measures to address this issue.
President Joseph Boakai Sr. of Liberia stressed the importance of collective resolve in turning the UN resolution into meaningful justice, reconciliation, and healing. He urged participants to leave Accra united in purpose and committed to ensuring that the greatest crime against humanity is met with one of humanity’s greatest responses.
The conference concluded with a Juneteenth celebration at Osu Castle, a 17th-century fortress that served as a hub for the transatlantic slave trade. Attendees honored the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and celebrated the resilience of the African diaspora.
