Why Africa wan make dem recognize slavery and colonialism as genocide

At least 12.5 million Africans dem kidnap and sell as slaves by European merchants between the 15th and 19th centuries.

The European powers wey later divide the continent dismantle indigenous governance, comot wealth for industrial scale and draw new borders wey no take the people inside am into account.

For im 39th summit wey happen for Addis Ababa from February 11 to 15, African Union give the wahala wey happen during those centuries legal name: genocide.

This decision pass the normal symbolism wey people dey attach to such resolutions. “E mean say institution don admit say those systems no be occasional episodes of exploitation, but organised projects of dehumanisation, dispossession and systematic destruction of African societies,” na so author-scholar Therence Atabong Njuafac, wey sabi international relations and political science, tell TRT Afrika.

Atabong see the resolution as kind correction for how people dey understand history, e dey challenge narratives wey dey present colonial violence as civilising mission and e dey put African historical experience for centre of global justice talk.

Macharia Munene, professor of political science for University of Nairobi, believe say the resolution make Africa collective position on centuries of transatlantic slave trade and colonialism clear. “As representative of the continent, the AU fit demand reparation from the slave dealers and the colonialists,” e tell TRT Afrika.

Moral duty

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, wey table the resolution, call the adoption one important moment wey people of African descent don dey wait for. “Truth no fit bury. The legal foundations strong; the moral imperative no dey argue,” na im e talk for summit.

Mahama talk say to confront historical truths na act of moral courage, no be to create division, and e point out say the effects of slavery still dey today as structural inequality, racial discrimination and economic imbalance. “The first step towards healing na truth. The truth about the story of the transatlantic slave trade must be told,” na so e describe the resolution as the first step.

By to say slavery and colonialism na genocidal crimes, the AU don put dem inside modern international legal and moral standards.

Atabong talk say when people collectively recognise historical trauma e dey validate wetin African and diasporic communities experience. “E confirm say economic underdevelopment, political instability and racial inequalities wey we dey see today no be by mistake. Dem na product of history,” e tell TRT Afrika.

Question of reparations

When continental body wey get 55 member states talk as one, e change how global conversation dey go about historical responsibility and structural inequality.

Britain King Charles don talk say e regret slavery and e don support research into British monarchy historical links to the trade. Britain na em carry about 3.2 million people as slaves, make am the second most active European country for the trade after Portugal, wey enslaved nearly six million.

Commonwealth secretary-general Shirley Botchwey, wey be former foreign minister of Ghana and who don publicly support reparations from Britain, dey help member countries wey dey seek redress. “My understanding be say some movement dey make in terms of getting parties around the table to decide the way forward, including different forms of reparations and how to go ahead with these,” Reuters quote am.

For reparatory justice to turn reality, Munene suggest say African countries suppose set up dedicated body of lobbyists wey go organise the campaign.

Atabong propose say African nations commission high-level panel of jurists and historians “to develop a comprehensive legal and evidentiary framework documenting the genocidal dimensions of slavery and colonial rule”.

The continent still need build diplomatic coalition with Caribbean states, Latin American countries and diaspora communities wey history join dem direct to the old transatlantic slave system. Analysts reckon say coordinated Global South platform go get more influence for international negotiations.

The new AU resolution mention say November 30 go dey commemorated as Day of Tribute to honour victims of historical injustices.

For ground level, the real impact go depend on follow-through. Atabong warn say the resolution fit remain only symbolic if public awareness no dey and if dem no get coordinated diplomatic strategy to implement am.