At the conclusion of its 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the African Union (AU) adopted a landmark resolution that formally classifies slavery, forced deportation, and colonialism as crimes against humanity and acts of genocide against African peoples. The decision, taken by consensus among AU member states, is designed to strengthen continental unity on historical injustice and lay the groundwork for global recognition, reparatory dialogue, and legal acknowledgment of the immense harms inflicted on African populations during centuries of European domination.
Key provisions of the resolution
The resolution adopted by the African Union explicitly acknowledges that:
- Transatlantic slavery, including the forced trafficking of millions of Africans, was a systematic and racialised crime of unprecedented scale. It recognizes the severe generational consequences of these acts on African communities and their descendants.
- Colonialism the political and economic domination of African territories by foreign powers — should be interpreted legally as a crime against humanity, not merely a historical event. The text also considers aspects of colonial rule under the definition of genocide based on how these systems destroyed cultures, exploited populations, and violated basic human rights.
- The AU’s designated “African Day of Tribute to African Martyrs and Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Colonization and Apartheid” will be commemorated annually on 30 November. This date signals a shared continental commitment to remembering victims and educating future generations about the impacts of these crimes.
In officially classifying these historical practices as crimes within a moral, legal, and diplomatic framework — the African Union creates a platform for member states to pursue broader international acceptance and action.
Historical and legal context
The move follows years of preparatory work within AU institutions and member states aimed at confronting the legacy of colonisation, slavery, and systemic racial injustice. In 2025, the AU began advancing discussions on the subject under initiatives like the “Algiers Declaration” on Colonial Crimes in Africa, which sought to provide a structural basis for continental acknowledgment and reparatory processes.
Consultations on the resolution’s text also involved extensive engagement with international bodies and experts, including UNESCO, the Pan‑African Lawyers Union, academic institutions, and AU legal working groups. These consultations were held to ensure that the language and legal framing of the resolution were both technically precise and widely supported by civil society and policymakers.
Political leadership and continental unity
Ghana played a leading role in drafting and championing the resolution. President John Dramani Mahama, speaking as the AU Champion for Advancing Justice and Reparations, described the adoption as a historic achievement that reflects Africa’s collective determination to confront its past. According to Mahama, the resolution was not merely symbolic but a strategic foundation for truthful historical recognition, global diplomatic engagement, and long‑term reconciliation efforts.
While emphasising the need for global acknowledgement, Mahama clarified that the immediate focus is not on financial compensation but on securing international recognition at institutions such as the United Nations General Assembly. This includes efforts to table related motions that would call on the UN to formally declare the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement as among the gravest crimes against humanity in history.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, publicly congratulated African Union member states for giving unified backing to this initiative. He highlighted the importance of collective continental support as Ghana prepares to take the resolution forward at the global level, with particular emphasis on securing co‑sponsorship from regional blocs and diasporic partners.
Next steps and international engagement
With the resolution now adopted by the African Union, member states have pledged to work collaboratively to promote international awareness and acceptance. They intend to pursue formal recognition of slavery and colonialism as crimes under international law and to continue diplomatic discussions with global bodies and partners.
The adoption also strengthens discussions around reparatory justice and historical clarification, which remain central to AU efforts to address longstanding inequalities rooted in centuries of exploitation.
