The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has once again demanded reparations, insisting that former colonial powers must acknowledge historic crimes and take responsibility for centuries of exploitation.
Speaking in Addis Ababa on Sunday at the second Africa-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit, Youssouf told leaders that the time had come for real accountability. He explained that reparatory justice goes beyond financial payments and should include dismantling systems of inequality that still affect African and Caribbean communities.
“The African Union stands proudly and firmly with our Caribbean brothers and sisters in every step towards reparatory justice and true liberation,” he declared, drawing applause from the audience.
Youssouf stressed that “meaningful reparations” must be part of the global response to colonial legacies. His comments reflected growing frustration across Africa and the Caribbean at the slow pace of recognition for historical injustices such as slavery, plunder of resources, and systemic oppression. He urged former colonial rulers to dismantle the structural injustices that continue to hold back communities of African descent worldwide.
The Addis Ababa summit, held on September 6–7, brought together heads of state, government officials and representatives of the African diaspora. According to the AU, the goal was to strengthen unity, deepen integration, and jointly pursue reparations through a comprehensive partnership.
For both Africa and the Caribbean, the push for reparations is no longer symbolic but central to their wider liberation struggle. Caribbean governments, through CARICOM’s Reparations Commission, have long pressed European powers for redress — from financial restitution and developmental support to formal apologies. African states are increasingly aligning with this fight, linking reparations to fixing inequalities in trade, finance and global governance.
Analysts say Youssouf’s stance highlights a growing consensus within the AU that reparations are both justified and necessary for Africa’s stability. The urgency has been amplified by economic crises, mounting debt and climate change, all of which hit Africa and the Caribbean hardest. Campaigners argue these vulnerabilities were created and worsened by centuries of colonial exploitation.
The summit closed with pledges to create a joint Africa-CARICOM platform for advancing reparations claims, building stronger diplomatic coordination, and mobilising public support across both regions. While no timelines were announced, leaders agreed that unity is their greatest strength.
For the AU, the reparations push is also tied to its bigger agenda of reforming global governance and strengthening Africa’s voice on the world stage. By joining forces with Caribbean partners, the AU hopes to move the debate from moral appeals to concrete policy changes. Leaders say the message is clear: history cannot be ignored, and justice must be done.
