The African Union Commission has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for spearheading the adoption of the landmark resolution at the United Nations General Assembly, declaring the trafficking and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
In a statement issued in Addis Ababa on Thursday, March 26, the Chairperson of the AU Commission welcomed the passage of Resolution A/80/L.48.
It described it as a historic milestone in Africa’s longstanding call for the full recognition of the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring consequences.
“This historic decision marks an important step toward truth, justice, and healing, and reinforces the urgent need to address the enduring legacy of slavery,” the Chairperson stated.
The AU Commission further commended Ghana’s leadership in advancing the resolution, noting that it reflects Africa’s principled commitment to confronting the historical injustices of slavery and ensuring that such crimes are neither forgotten nor repeated.
The Chairperson reiterated the Union’s call for comprehensive acknowledgment of both the historical and contemporary impacts of slavery, including the “pursuit of reparative justice, in line with Agenda 2063 and relevant Assembly decisions.”
The statement emphasised the AU’s readiness to collaborate with the United Nations, Member States, and partners to advance historical justice and promote healing across generations.
