Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, welcomed the adoption of the resolution A/80/L.48, led by Ghana by the United Nations General Assembly.

He described the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

The AU Commission Chairperson in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency commended Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama for this important leadership, which reflected Africa’s longstanding and principled call for the full recognition of the slave trade and its enduring consequences.

“This historic decision marks an important step toward truth, justice, and healing, and reinforces the urgent need to address the enduring legacy of slavery,” the Chairperson stated.

The AUC Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s call for comprehensive acknowledgment of the historical and contemporary impacts of slavery, including the pursuit of reparative justice, in line with Agenda 2063 and relevant Assembly decisions.

The African Union remains committed to working with the United Nations, Member States, and partners to advance historical justice and ensure that such crimes are neither forgotten nor repeated.