New York: Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ant³nio Guterres, called for reparations for enslavement and colonialism. The Secretary-General particularly renewed his calls for Member States and the United Nations to work towards justice and reparations for Africans and the diaspora in a speech in New York on Friday.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the UN chief emphasized Africa as a continent of energy and possibility. Guterres highlighted the entrenched nature of racism and exploitative systems, expressing regret over the “colossal injustices” against Africa, including the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism. He stated that the injustices have been unacknowledged and unaddressed for too long, and reiterated the UN’s stance that slavery and the transatlantic slave trade are crimes against humanity, calling for redress.
Guterres expressed regret that these wrongs were perpetrated by many countries, including his own, and continue to distort the world today. Speaking to the Africa Dialogue Series, focused on justice through reparations, Guterres noted the growing momentum for reparatory justice globally, reflected by the declaration of the Second Decade for People of African Descent, which runs through 2035. The previous decade, ending in 2024, saw over 30 Member States revising laws to better tackle racial discrimination, though more work remains.
The UN Secretary-General pointed out the poisoned legacies of enslavement and colonialism, emphasizing that these issues are addressed not to sow division, but to heal them. He mentioned that racism and exploitative systems have continued to disadvantage African countries and people of African descent beyond the end of colonialism and enslavement. Guterres explained that decolonization did not free African countries or people of African descent from the structures that enabled such projects, as the global system was built to serve others when African countries gained independence.
Phil©mon Yang, President of the General Assembly, emphasized the importance of teaching this history through national curricula and monuments like The Ark of Return at UN Headquarters. Yang stated that knowledge of true history can guide progress. This year’s dialogue focused on “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” and aligns with the African Union’s theme for 2025.