by AMADOU NDIAYE
DAKAR – THE call for reparative justice took centre at a weekend gathering held in Dakar, Senegal to commemorate Africa Day 2025.
This meeting attended by government representatives, civil society leaders, youth activists and regional institutions was held under the theme, “Reparative Justice for Africans: Reclaiming Dignity and Building Accountability.”
It aligned with the African Union’s 2025 theme of the year, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” by moving beyond symbolism and focusing on concrete policy outcomes.
Desire Assogbavi, Advocacy Advisor at the Open Society Foundations, said the Dakar gathering was a historic opportunity to reclaim African dignity and demand transformation through an intergenerational and policy-driven conversation on reparative justice.
“On Africa Day, we honor not just our history, but our agency, our right to shape a future built on equity, dignity, and accountability,” Assogbavi said.
Brian Kagoro, Managing Director of Programmes at the Open Society Foundations, emphasised the importance of historical recognition and redress for the injustices committed against African peoples.
“Reparative justice is not about the past alone, it is about reclaiming Africa’s future, restoring dignity, and rebuilding our sovereignty,” said Kagoro.
“The debt of slavery, colonialism, and systemic exploitation remains unpaid. Africa’s call for reparations is a call for justice, not charity,” he added.
Kagoro said reparations must be rooted in reform, from financial fairness to fair global governance where Africa has “an equal seat at the table.”
May 25 is marked yearly as Africa Day. It is the date of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.
