ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Africa's quest for reparatory justice is a legitimate demand for the acknowledgement of historical injustices and a commitment to meaningful accountability, African Union (AU) Commission Deputy Chairperson Monique Nsanzabaganwa said on Friday.

Nsanzabaganwa made the remarks while addressing a high-level meeting that focused on the AU's theme for 2025: "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations" on the sidelines of the ongoing 38th AU summit, which is taking place from Feb. 12 to 16 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

The deputy chief emphasized that Africans and their descendants have for centuries "endured the devastating consequences of enslavement, colonial exploitation, racial discrimination, and systemic economic marginalization."

She said that the reparatory justice agenda for historical injustices stemming from colonialism, trans-Atlantic enslavement, apartheid, and systemic discrimination recognizes the wealth extracted from Africa, the sufferings endured by Africans, and the progress "deliberately" obstructed.

"These injustices were not accidental. They were deliberate, and institutionalized acts that deprived generations and generations of Africans of their dignity, sovereignty, and rightful opportunities," Nsanzabaganwa said.

She stressed that the continent's united call for reparations is an appeal for action to ensure the rectifying of historical wrongs and "a resolute declaration that the time for justice has come, and is now."

"The continental reparations agenda is not a plea for charity. It is a legitimate demand for the acknowledgement of historical injustices and a commitment to meaningful accountability in addressing them," she said.

Nsanzabaganwa emphasized the AU's enduring dedication to the cause of reparations, tracing it back to the early years of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the AU. She highlighted that the AU has recently reinforced its stance on the reparatory agenda through assembly decisions that provide a clear mandate for advancing the reparations and racial justice agenda.

She stressed that these decisions underscore the pursuit of justice as a global struggle, which unites Africa with the Caribbean, the Americas, and every region where people of African descent continue to resist systemic inequities.

"Our combined responsibility is to ensure that this movement translates into substantial actions to secure a just and equitable future for generations to come. It is about restoring dignity, fostering economic empowerment, and ensuring that Africa and its people reclaim their rightful place in the global order," said Nsanzabaganwa. Enditem

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