Leaders of the African Union have adopted a historic resolution formally declaring slavery, deportation and colonialism as genocide and crimes against Africans, in a major step aimed at addressing centuries of historical injustice suffered by the continent and its diaspora.
The resolution was adopted at a two-day African Union summit held in Addis Ababa, where heads of state and government met to deliberate on key political, economic and social issues affecting the continent.
The decision represents one of the strongest collective positions ever taken by African leaders on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, colonial rule and apartheid, and reflects growing calls within Africa for historical accountability, justice and global recognition of past atrocities.
Speaking after the adoption of the resolution, AU Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the move as a defining moment for the continent.
“The conference recognises colonisation as a crime against humanity. That’s very important,” Youssouf said, stressing that the declaration was long overdue.
He noted that the resolution was not merely symbolic but part of a broader effort to confront the lasting political, economic and social consequences of slavery and colonial domination, which continue to shape development challenges across Africa.
In a related remark, the AU chairman also expressed solidarity with Palestine, calling for an end to what he described as the extermination of the Palestinian people, a statement that aligns with the African Union’s longstanding support for oppressed peoples globally.
As part of the landmark decision, AU member states agreed to designate November 30 as the “African Day of Tribute to African Martyrs and Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Colonization, and Apartheid.” The commemorative day is intended to honour millions of Africans who suffered, were displaced or lost their lives under these systems, while reinforcing collective memory and historical consciousness across generations.
African leaders said the annual observance would also serve as a platform for education, reflection and advocacy, particularly among young Africans, on the structural roots of inequality and underdevelopment linked to historical exploitation.
The resolution further mandates the African Union to keep the issue under active review and to work collectively toward securing broader international recognition of slavery and colonialism as crimes against Africans. This includes engagement with global institutions and international partners to acknowledge the declaration and its implications.
For Nigeria and other African countries, the AU’s position is expected to strengthen continental calls for restorative justice, reparative conversations and renewed dialogue on the global responsibility to address historical wrongs.
Observers say the decision underscores the African Union’s determination to reclaim historical narratives, assert Africa’s moral and political voice on the world stage, and ensure that the memory of slavery and colonialism remains central to the continent’s pursuit of dignity, justice and development.
