African Union leaders gathered in Addis Ababa are renewing calls for reparations for slavery and colonialism, despite resistance from former colonial powers in Europe and the United States.
The summit aims to establish a unified approach to reparations, including financial compensation, formal acknowledgments, and policy reforms. “Reparations is the hot topic,” the AU’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) said.
Experts argue that Africa’s economic struggles, debt crises, and vulnerability to climate change stem from colonial exploitation. Proposed reparations extend beyond financial payments to include land restitution, the return of cultural artifacts, and policy changes addressing systemic inequalities.
The AU has partnered with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to push for reparations through diplomatic and legal channels. However, progress has been slow, as right-wing opposition in Europe has blocked discussions. Leaders in Portugal, Britain, and France have rejected calls for reparations.