Pan-African Parliament Opens Committee Sitting with a Call for Justice and Reparations

Midrand, South Africa – 24 February 2025

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) officially opened the Sitting of the Permanent Committees of its 6th Parliament with a strong call for justice, reparations, and the recognition of historical injustices suffered by Africans and people of African descent.

In his opening address, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of PAP, underscored the Parliament’s role in shaping justice-focused policies aimed at addressing structural inequalities and ensuring that the voices of African citizens are heard.

“This year’s session convenes under the African Union’s 2025 theme: ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.’ This theme is both a reminder and a call to action—a call to recognize and address the deep-seated injustices suffered by Africans and their descendants due to slavery, colonialism, economic exploitation, and structural inequalities that persist to this day,” he stated.

He further stressed that it is the duty of the Pan-African Parliament to champion the cause of justice and advocate for meaningful reparatory mechanisms that can address historical and contemporary injustices. “The very foundation of our identity is built on the collective pain of historical injustices, the scars of slavery, colonization, and the systematic oppression that has lasted for centuries,” he emphasized.

Solidarity Messages Reinforce the Call for Justice

During the ceremony, several dignitaries and high-level representatives delivered solidarity messages in support of the theme, highlighting the importance of unity and policy-driven actions in advancing justice for African people.

Hon. Wilson Adão, Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC):

Hon. Wilson Adão emphasized that addressing past injustices is fundamental to building a just and equitable future, particularly for Africa’s children. He noted that reparations should not only focus on historical acknowledgment but should also pave the way for a future where children inherit dignity, equity, and opportunities.

He highlighted the collaboration between PAP and the ACERWC, which has led to legislative initiatives focusing on child rights. He also announced the forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ACERWC and PAP, scheduled to be signed on 7 April 2025, during the 45th Ordinary Session of the ACERWC, further strengthening efforts to protect Africa’s most vulnerable populations.

H.E. Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO of APRM Continental Secretariat:

Ambassador Quatre delivered a powerful message on the interconnectedness of justice, governance, and Africa’s socio-economic future. She reiterated the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in diagnosing governance challenges and facilitating the development of policy frameworks that promote accountability, democracy, and economic justice.

She emphasized that Africa is too rich to have poor citizens, citing the continent’s vast natural resources and youthful population as key assets for transformation. However, she warned that without sound governance and accountability, Africa’s potential will remain unrealized.

“The Pan-African Parliament and the APRM must work together to protect Africa’s wealth, ensuring that our policies benefit African citizens rather than foreign corporations,” she stated.

She also called for greater unity in addressing global power dynamics, ensuring Africa emerges as a strategic global player. “We must focus on how we can best come together and chart our path forward to ensure that Africa emerges from a position of strength and agency,” she urged.

PAP’s Commitment to Reparations and Social Justice

The opening ceremony marked the beginning of crucial deliberations within the Permanent Committees, which will focus on legislative and policy-driven strategies to advance the AU’s reparations agenda. Key areas of discussion include:

• Advocating for international recognition and reparatory justice for the trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonial exploitation, and economic disenfranchisement.
• Developing policy frameworks that address contemporary injustices, such as economic disparities, land dispossession, and racial discrimination against Africans and people of African descent globally.
• Strengthening governance mechanisms to ensure that Africa’s natural wealth benefits its citizens and drives sustainable development.

With a strong commitment from the Pan-African Parliament and its partners, the Sitting of the Permanent Committees is expected to produce tangible outcomes that align with the AU’s Agenda 2063, fostering a more just and equitable Africa.

As the deliberations progress, the Pan-African Parliament remains steadfast in its mission to amplify the voices of African citizens and champion legislative actions that drive social justice, unity, and sustainable development across the continent.

The opening ceremony witnessed the swearing in of new members of the Parliament from the following countries:  Botswana, Chad, Mozambique,  Senegal and South Africa.