UN Chief Guterres Demands Urgent Reparations for the Wrongs of Slavery and Colonialism

Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for justice and reparations for Africans and their diaspora during a speech in New York on Friday. He emphasized that Africa is rich in potential, yet the profound wrongs of enslavement, the transatlantic slave trade, and colonialism remain largely unaddressed. The UN has consistently recognized these acts as crimes against humanity, and Guterres highlighted the growing movement for reparative justice, exemplified by the Second Decade for People of African Descent initiatives, lasting until 2035. He criticized ongoing systemic racism, asserting that decolonization did not liberate African nations from historical prejudices. Guterres urged international reform of debt systems crippling African economies and advocated for substantial investments in clean energy infrastructure, as these countries face severe climate impacts.