**African and Caribbean Nations Demand Formal Apology for Transatlantic Slavery**
In a significant move towards addressing historical injustices, African and Caribbean nations have united in their call for formal apologies and reparations from countries that profited from the transatlantic slave trade. This demand was made during a high-level consultative conference held in Accra, Ghana, which concluded recently. The conference, attended by prominent leaders including Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama and Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, focused on advancing reparatory justice following a landmark United Nations resolution passed in March 2026.
The UN resolution recognized the transatlantic slave trade as the "gravest crime against humanity" and urged member states to contribute to a reparations fund aimed at addressing the historical wrongs inflicted upon millions of Africans. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, it is estimated that approximately 12 to 15 million African men, women, and children were forcibly captured and trafficked to the Americas, where they were subjected to slavery.
During the conference, a comprehensive 19-point reparations plan was endorsed, which outlines several key demands. These include comprehensive debt relief for affected nations, the restitution of cultural property that was looted during the slave trade, and the establishment of a global reparations fund. Notably, the plan also highlights the disproportionate impact of slavery on African women and girls, emphasizing the need for targeted reparative measures.
President Mahama, in his address to the delegates, emphasized the importance of acknowledging historical responsibility rather than inheriting guilt. He stated, "History does not ask us to inherit guilt, but it asks us to inherit responsibility." This sentiment was echoed by other leaders at the conference, who collectively urged countries that were involved in the slave trade to provide "full, formal and unconditional apologies."
French President Emmanuel Macron, who participated in the conference via a virtual address, acknowledged the dehumanization of enslaved individuals, stating that they were treated as mere commodities. However, he cautioned against viewing reparations solely as financial compensation, suggesting that such an approach could oversimplify the complexities of historical injustices.
The UN General Assembly's vote in March, which saw 123 votes in favor of recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, was a pivotal moment in this ongoing dialogue. However, the resolution was met with opposition from the United States, Israel, and Argentina, while 52 countries, including the United Kingdom and several EU member states, abstained from voting. It is important to note that unlike resolutions from the UN Security Council, those from the General Assembly are not legally binding.
The UK has historically resisted calls for reparations, arguing that contemporary institutions should not be held accountable for the actions of the past. UK ambassador to the UN, James Kariuki, stated that "no single set of atrocities should be regarded as more or less significant than another." Similarly, the US ambassador expressed that there is no legal basis for reparations regarding historical wrongs that were not deemed illegal under international law at the time they occurred. He also pointed out the ambiguity surrounding the identification of recipients for "reparatory justice."
Despite these challenges, the call for reparations remains a pressing issue for many African and Caribbean nations. To date, no country has compensated the descendants of enslaved Africans or the nations impacted by the slave trade. Most reparations historically paid by governments were directed towards slave owners rather than the enslaved individuals themselves. For instance, in the 1830s, the UK compensated slave owners with the equivalent of over $21 billion (£16 billion) in today’s money following the abolition of slavery.
The conference in Accra marks a significant step in the ongoing quest for justice and recognition of the atrocities committed during the transatlantic slave trade. As discussions continue, the collective voices of African and Caribbean nations underscore the need for accountability and reparative measures to address the enduring legacy of slavery.