Pan-African Parliament Hosts Key Workshop on AU’s 2025 Theme of the Year: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Monday convened a high-level workshop focusing on the African Union (AU) 2025 Theme of the Year, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” Held on the sidelines of the current Sitting of Permanent Committees at the PAP’s seat in Midrand, the workshop brought together Members of the Pan-African Parliament, representatives of AU institutions, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.

Exploring Historical Wrongs and Legal Frameworks

During the workshop, participants delved into several critical areas, including:

• Historical Contexts and Justification for Reparations: Presentations traced Africa’s legacy of slavery and colonialism, highlighting how systemic injustices continue to impact African nations and people of African descent worldwide.
• Legal Frameworks and Precedents: Experts examined existing international legal instruments that can form the basis for reparations, as well as precedents set by court cases and diplomatic agreements in various parts of the world.
• Parliamentary and Policy Interventions: Speakers outlined the legislative tools and policy measures that African Parliaments, especially the PAP, can leverage to advance reparative justice.
• Diaspora Engagement: Emphasizing the African Diaspora’s integral role, participants discussed strategies for galvanizing support and ensuring inclusive processes that address the concerns of people of African descent globally.
• Case Studies on Reparations Movements: From restitution of cultural artifacts to successful campaigns for financial reparations, real-world examples underscored how targeted, well-coordinated efforts can rectify past injustices and foster sustainable development.

Significance of the 2025 Theme

This workshop follows the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council (EX.CL/Dec.1267[XLV]) held in Accra, Ghana in July 2023/4, which called on AU Organs, institutions, and Regional Economic Communities to “integrate reparatory justice and racial healing into their programs and support the implementation of the AU Theme of the Year.” Participants at the workshop stressed that the 2025 Theme—“Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”—serves as a vital step toward acknowledging historical wrongs and initiating processes of rectification.

They noted that reparations can take many forms, including:

• Financial Compensation: Direct payments or funds targeting communities most affected by historical injustices.
• Institutional Reforms: Systemic changes, such as judicial and legislative reforms, that promote equality and redress discriminatory structures.
• Restitution of Cultural Artifacts: The return of stolen or looted cultural items to their countries of origin.
• Development Assistance: Strategic investment to address socio-economic imbalances rooted in historical injustices.

PAP’s Role and Responsibilities

Members of the Pan-African Parliament identified several responsibilities and avenues through which they can drive meaningful action:

1. Enacting Model Laws: Drafting and advocating for national and continental policies and legislative frameworks that address reparations, restitution, and recognition of historical injustices.
2. Raising Awareness: Engaging national and international stakeholders to underscore the importance of reparations and to highlight the long-term consequences of slavery and colonialism.
3. Collaboration with International and Regional Bodies: Working with institutions such as the African Union, United Nations, and regional organizations to secure cohesive and impactful reparations policies.
4. Ensuring Implementation: Monitoring national governments’ compliance with reparative initiatives and promoting equitable distribution of benefits among affected communities.

A Collective Call to Action

The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from all attendees to intensify efforts toward advancing the 2025 Theme of the Year. By putting justice at the heart of policy-making and programming, the Pan-African Parliament and its partners aim to help reshape narratives around Africa’s past, address present inequalities, and build a more equitable future.

As the PAP and other stakeholders prepare to roll out a comprehensive roadmap, this workshop serves as both a clarion call and a foundational milestone. The next steps involve reinforcing collaboration at all levels—national, regional, and continental—to ensure that reparatory justice becomes a tangible and transformative reality for Africans and people of African descent worldwide.