Some personalities at the event
The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddaddi, has reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to reparations, justice, and healing for Africa and the global African diaspora.
This statement was made at the official opening of the Accra Summit II, themed Centering Healing for Africans and the Global African Diaspora in the Context of the African Union Theme of the Year for 2025 on Reparations.
The summit, which brings together key stakeholders including the Global Circle for Reparations and Healing (GCRH), the Justice and Repair (J&R) initiative, and the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), marks a significant step in Africa’s pursuit of reparative justice.
Ambassador Haddaddi, in the speech read on her behalf on March 26, 2025, at Nyanyanor Village, emphasized the need to address historical injustices that have shaped the realities of Africa and its diaspora, including the transatlantic and trans-Indian Ocean slave trade, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic racism.
She noted that these atrocities inflicted deep wounds—physical, psychological, spiritual, and economic—whose effects persist today in the form of economic disparities, structural inequalities, and the continued devaluation of African lives.
“The struggle for reparations is not simply about addressing historical wrongs; it is about ensuring justice, dignity, and sustainable development for African people across generations,” she stated, highlighting the African Union’s long-standing advocacy for reparations, including the 2001 Durban Declaration and Plan of Action, which reaffirmed that the transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity.
The Accra Summit II builds on the outcomes of the inaugural summit held in 2022, which underscored the need for a proactive approach to seeking justice through unity and collective advocacy. Ambassador Haddaddi called for healing that goes beyond individual experiences, emphasizing the need for reclaiming African narratives and re-establishing bonds of solidarity severed by historical injustices.
“We must ensure that the issue of racial healing remains at the forefront of international discussions, compelling the world to acknowledge, address, and redress the injustices inflicted upon Africa and her diaspora,” she urged.
As the summit progresses, discussions will center on mobilizing policies, institutions, and global partnerships to achieve meaningful reparations for Africa and its people. Ambassador Haddaddi reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to this cause, urging all stakeholders to continue dismantling the legacies of oppression and forging a future of equity, prosperity, and dignity for all African people.
The Accra Summit II is expected to conclude on March 28 with concrete action plans for advancing the reparations agenda and strengthening Africa’s leadership in the global movement for justice and healing.
