UN’s landmark slavery ruling energises African Union’s fight for reparations

UN’s landmark slavery ruling energises African Union’s fight for reparations

Less than two years after leading Ghana’s historic political resurgence, John Mahama has once again positioned himself as a symbol of resilience against entrenched power. On Wednesday, he played a pivotal role in pushing for a UN resolution that formally condemned transatlantic chattel slavery, a decision that faced significant pushback from Western nations historically tied to the practice. The vote, which passed with a strong majority at the UN General Assembly, was met with broad approval across Africa, though the tally highlighted persistent global disagreements over the legacy of enslaving over 15 million individuals over four centuries.

The resolution, hailed as a defining moment in human rights history, drew support from a majority of states, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Arab world. The Arab states, in particular, acknowledged their role in trans-Saharan slavery. Meanwhile, Russia praised the decision as “a long overdue recognition,” while the western bloc—comprising Australia, Canada, the UK, and EU nations—chose to abstain, deferring their accountability to a later date. Argentina, Israel, and the US were the sole countries to vote against the resolution, a stance rooted in their historical ties to the system.

“We travel this long road, each step guided by a desire to be better and to do better, each step bringing us closer to the kind of world we would want to leave for our children,” said John Mahama during his address at the UN General Assembly.

The US ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council, Dan Negrea, emphasized the nation’s position that reparations for historical injustices are only justified if those wrongs were illegal under international law at the time. This perspective sparked debate, as advocates argued the resolution’s non-binding nature was a strategic move to pressure nations into acknowledging their past and committing to reparatory actions.

Amid the discussion, the Vatican’s permanent observer, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, presented a nuanced view, describing the resolution as “a partial narrative.” While highlighting papal condemnations of slavery, he omitted a crucial chapter: Pope Nicholas V’s 1452 and 1455 decrees that sanctioned the enslavement of non-Christians in Africa, a legal framework that enabled transatlantic slavery. This oversight has fueled criticism from historians and activists.

The resolution’s passage has sparked renewed momentum for the African Union’s reparations agenda. With 2026-36 designated as its “decade of reparations,” the organization is now focused on crafting a justice framework and engaging descendants of enslaved populations globally. John Mahama, set to assume the role of union chair in 2027, remains optimistic about advancing this cause despite ongoing resistance from Western powers. As the UN secretary general, António Guterres, urged “far bolder action,” the stage is set for a sustained push toward historical accountability.