38th African Union Summit to Focus on Reparatory Justice and Racial Healing

The 38th African Union (AU) Summit, scheduled for February 2025, will centre on Reparatory Justice and Racial Healing under the theme: “Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice and Payment of Reparations to Africans.” The summit will also feature senior leadership elections as a key highlight.  A Commitment to Reparatory Justice This theme was established at the 37th AU Summit in 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recognising reparations as a vital step towards justice and equity for Africans and people of African descent. It underscores the need for a collective response to historical injustices, including colonialism, trans-Atlantic enslavement, apartheid, and systemic discrimination.  To ensure clarity and engagement, the AU has developed a concept note outlining the complexities of addressing these past wrongs and the necessity for a strategic, unified approach. The reparations agenda presents an opportunity for the AU to take leadership in advocating for justice and compensation for historical crimes against Africans and their descendants.  Key Objectives and Initiatives The reparatory justice theme aims to:  – Unite Africa and its diaspora in seeking justice and reparations.  -Maintain momentum on reparations discussions across AU institutions and member states.  – Engage regional and international bodies including the UN...