The African Union (AU) has declared 2025 as the "Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations," marking a significant step in addressing historical injustices faced by Africans and the African diaspora.
This declaration, officially launched during the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in February 2025, underscores the AU’s commitment to advocating for justice, equity, and redress for the enduring impacts of slavery, colonialism, and systemic discrimination.
The theme for 2025 focuses on reparatory justice, aiming to create tangible, transformative actions to heal past wounds and promote racial equity.
The AU’s initiative is not merely symbolic; it involves formulating a Common African Position on Reparations and launching an African Reparatory Programme of Action. This program emphasizes legal reforms, policy advocacy, and economic empowerment to address the structural inequalities rooted in historical injustices.
The declaration calls for unity among African nations and the diaspora, urging collective action to tackle the lasting effects of colonization and discrimination.
While the declaration has been widely praised, it also faces challenges, including the need for clear strategies, strong partnerships, and international cooperation to ensure its goals are met. Critics of the establishment narrative argue that without concrete mechanisms for accountability and funding,
such declarations risk remaining aspirational rather than actionable. Nevertheless, the AU’s focus on 2025 as a year of justice preparation signals a bold step toward rectifying historical wrongs and building a fairer future for Africans and people of African descent worldwide.