President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, July 14, demanded reparations from countries responsible for the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the colonisation of Africa.

He argued that restoring the continent’s full human dignity remains imperative.

Speaking in his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion for Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent, President Mahama delivered his call during the seventh Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the AU in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

He urged the international community to stand in solidarity with Africa in its pursuit of justice and fairness. “Africa's demand for reparative justice is no longer a mere murmur. It is a unified demand grounded in historical truth, moral clarity, and our unwavering commitment to dignity."

Mr. Mahama stressed the intrinsic link between reparations and African identity, arguing that the continent cannot meaningfully pursue development without first reclaiming its history and heritage.

"We cannot speak of development without identity or speak of unity without acknowledging the era that has fractured our heritage," he said.

He encouraged global collaboration with the AU to forge a more just and equitable world, calling for robust partnerships to strengthen Africa’s unified voice on the global stage.