Leaders of the African Union have adopted a landmark resolution describing slavery, deportation and colonisation as genocide and crimes against the people of Africa, during a two-day summit in Addis Ababa.
The decision was taken at the Union’s headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, where heads of state and government gathered to deliberate on continental development, governance and historical justice. The resolution formally characterizes the transatlantic slave trade, forced deportations and the era of colonial domination as crimes against humanity, placing renewed emphasis on historical accountability and reparative discourse.
The move reflects growing momentum among African leaders to reframe colonial history within international legal and moral frameworks. By using terminology such as genocide and crimes against humanity, the Union signals an effort to align historical injustices with definitions recognized under international law. While the resolution does not automatically trigger legal proceedings, it strengthens Africa’s collective diplomatic position in global conversations about reparations, restitution of cultural artifacts and structural inequalities rooted in colonial systems.
Algeria played a visible advocacy role in pushing for stronger language around criminalizing colonialism. Algerian representatives have consistently argued that colonial rule inflicted systemic violence, economic extraction and cultural erasure that continue to shape development disparities across the continent. The country’s stance reflects its own historical experience under French colonial rule and its long-standing position on anti-colonial justice.
Observers note that the resolution arrives at a time when global debates over reparations and historical redress are intensifying. Several African nations have recently renewed calls for compensation, formal apologies and the return of looted artifacts held in European institutions. By adopting a unified continental position, the African Union strengthens negotiating leverage and presents a consolidated narrative on historical injustice.
The resolution also carries symbolic weight. Framing slavery and colonisation as crimes against humanity reinforces collective memory and affirms the legitimacy of African grievances within international forums. It underscores that the economic underdevelopment and structural vulnerabilities experienced by many African states cannot be separated from centuries of exploitation.
Critics, however, argue that beyond symbolic declarations, the challenge lies in translating resolutions into actionable strategies. Questions remain about how the African Union intends to operationalize the resolution, whether through diplomatic engagement, legal pathways, or coordinated policy frameworks among member states.
Nevertheless, the adoption marks a significant political statement. It signals a continent increasingly assertive about redefining its historical narrative and seeking recognition of past injustices within global governance systems. As discussions around reparative justice evolve, the African Union’s resolution adds institutional weight to Africa’s longstanding demands for acknowledgment, accountability and equitable global relations.
