Revisiting Reparations: The Role of African Nations in the Transat…

Not far from what was West Africa’s primary slave port, Ouidah in Benin, stands a statue commemorating Francisco Félix de Souza, a key figure in the transatlantic slave trade. This monument symbolizes a complex history where African nations, including Benin, played a significant role in enslaving and selling their own people, challenging the simplified narrative of European sole culpability. The late Dr. Khalid Muhammad’s assertion that African countries owe reparations to Black Americans has reignited debates on this contentious issue, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of historical responsibilities. Advertisment Historical Context and Current Debates The involvement of African countries in the slave trade has been a topic of much discussion and analysis. Historians John Thornton and Linda Heywood suggest that approximately 90% of Africans sold into the New World were enslaved by fellow Africans. This revelation complicates the narrative of slavery, illustrating it as a lucrative business for both European buyers and African sellers. Today, discussions on reparations often focus on the role of Western countries, but figures like Dr. Khalid Muhammad bring attention to the responsibilities of African nations as well. Legacy and Influence of Slave Traders Advertisment The descendants of slave merchants in West African countries...