Pan-African Parliament Strengthens Engagement for Reparations and Justice in Dakar, Senegal

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) continued the commemoration of its 20^th anniversary by hosting a transformative engagement in Dakar, Senegal, focused on reparations and justice for Africans and the African diaspora. Under the theme "Fostering Pan-African Synergies for Reparations and Justice," the event aligned with the African Union's 2025 theme, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations."

This four-day program featured keynote addresses, workshops, and panel discussions aimed at fostering reparative justice, promoting accountability, and advancing inclusive governance. It also served as a platform to reflect on PAP’s two-decade journey in championing Pan-African ideals and legislative harmonization.

Keynote Address by Hon. Lucia Dos Passos

Third Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Lucia Dos Passos delivered a stirring keynote during the opening session, addressing representatives from the African diaspora, civil society, and the media. She underscored the profound significance of reparative justice as a cornerstone of healing historical injustices and dismantling systemic inequalities.

“Dakar, with its indelible connection to Africa’s painful history, serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to turn historical reckoning into meaningful progress. As the deliberative body of the African Union, the Pan-African Parliament has a unique role to play in this process of restorative justice. Reparations are not limited to material or financial compensation; they represent an act of recognition, a commitment to correct structural inequalities, and a promise to build a fairer future for generations to come. To achieve this goal, we need to mobilize all the driving forces on our continent. That’s why this event focuses on the commitment of three strategic players: the African diaspora, the media, and civil society” she affirmed.

Strategic Engagements with Key Stakeholders

The program emphasized strategic collaborations with three pivotal groups: the diaspora, civil society, and the media. Each group’s involvement is deemed crucial to advancing PAP’s reparative justice agenda:

1. Diaspora Engagement
   Recognized as essential partners in Africa’s progress, diaspora representatives discussed leveraging their influence and resources to champion justice and reparations globally.
2. Media Relations
   Journalists and media professionals explored innovative ways to amplify Pan-African ideals and enhance public awareness of PAP’s initiatives.
3. Civil Society
   Activists and leaders advocated for inclusive governance frameworks that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities, ensuring no group is left behind.

Interactive group discussions identified challenges and proposed actionable strategies to enhance these partnerships, which will culminate in recommendations to inform PAP’s future agenda.

Building a Reparative Justice Agenda

A central focus of the engagement was the African Union’s 2025 theme, with workshops exploring actionable pathways to implement reparative justice initiatives. Discussions highlighted the following priorities:

• Legislative Frameworks
  The development of a robust legislative architecture to support reparations at national and continental levels.
• Awareness Campaigns
  Educational initiatives to foster greater understanding of reparative justice and its role in addressing historical wrongs.

Participants emphasized the importance of aligning reparative justice with unity and accountability, ensuring that initiatives transcend financial reparations to address deeper societal inequalities.

Celebrating 20 Years of the Pan-African Parliament

The event also marked a milestone in PAP’s history, reflecting on its achievements in advancing legislative harmonization and promoting Pan-African governance over the past 20 years. PAP unveiled its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, which places reparative justice and stakeholder engagement at the center of its future vision. This plan reinforces PAP’s commitment to addressing systemic inequalities while fostering a united Africa.

Expected Outcomes and Implications

The engagement is expected to produce several key outcomes that are set to shape PAP’s reparative justice agenda and its broader objectives:

• Draft Reparations Framework
  A comprehensive document outlining PAP’s contributions to reparations initiatives and their implementation.
• Enhanced Collaborations
  Strengthened partnerships with civil society, the diaspora, and media networks to bolster advocacy and public engagement.
• Strategic Recommendations
  A roadmap detailing measures to address structural inequalities and promote justice for Africans and the African diaspora.

The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between PAP and the State of Diaspora is pivotal to these efforts, underscoring the reparative agenda’s collaborative nature. This MOU signifies a renewed commitment to fostering synergies between Africa and its diaspora, with the aim of achieving justice and equity on a global scale. By reinforcing partnerships, the MOU creates a foundation for more robust advocacy and practical implementation of reparative justice initiatives, ensuring PAP’s vision translates into tangible outcomes.

As PAP moves forward, the engagement in Dakar serves as a testament to its enduring commitment to Pan-Africanism and justice. With renewed focus and strategic partnerships, PAP is poised to lead the charge in making reparations a reality for Africa and its diaspora, setting a precedent for global justice and reconciliation.

Participants at the engagement include some members of PAP’s Committee on Justice and Human Rights including Hon. Yosri Baouab. Others are Dr. Barryl Biekman, Chair and one of the founders of the African World Studies Institute based in the Netherlands, representing the diaspora, Mr. Alpha Faye, Member of the ECOSOCC General Assembly, Gilbert Borketey Boyefio, Secretary General of the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN).