HIGH-LEVEL STATEMENT by Minister of Foreign Affairs Honorable Samuel Okudzeto,

AFRICAN UNION CHAMPION FOR THE CONTINENTAL AGENDA ON REPARATIONS
PRE-LAUNCH OF THE 2025 THEME OF THE YEAR: "JUSTICE FOR AFRICANS AND PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT THROUGH REPARATIONS"

H.E. the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The African Union Youth Envoy

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great honor and deep commitment that I address you today at this momentous pre-launch of the African Union’s 2025 Theme of the Year: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. This theme is not only a clarion call but a firm declaration of our collective resolve to seek justice, equity, and historical accountability for the crimes and legacies of enslavement, colonialism, and systemic discrimination that have impacted Africans and their descendants across generations.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The journey that has brought us to this pivotal moment is rooted in the enduring principles of Pan-Africanism. The vision of our forebears, enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, compels us to summon the full strength of our continent - both within Africa and across the global African family. Pursuant to Assembly Decision 884 (XXXVII), our Heads of State and Government have reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing the cause of justice and reparations for Africans. This follows the landmark Assembly Decision 847 (XXXVI), which established the imperative for building a united front to demand reparative justice for our people. These commitments must now be translated into tangible action, ensuring that the vision outlined in the Accra Proclamation on Reparations is realized through viable and structured mechanisms.

In this regard, the African Union Commission, through the Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO), has taken commendable steps to establish the AU Coordination Team on Reparations (AU-CTR). This team will be instrumental in shaping the operational and strategic framework for our collective reparations’ agenda. Furthermore, the Commission is tasked with submitting a report to the Executive Council, assessing the financial, legal, and structural implications of the mechanisms necessary for implementation. This report will be crucial in defining the roadmap for achieving justice and reparations for Africans globally.

As we build momentum towards the official launch of the 2025 Theme of the Year, I encourage each African Union Member State to take ownership of this historic mission. To this end, I invite every Head of State and Government to select a country to make a cultural and artistic expression/presentation on the theme and its significance to their national and regional histories. These presentations will serve as powerful mediums to educate, inspire, and mobilize our people, ensuring that the discourse on reparations is deeply rooted in our diverse cultural narratives and historical experiences.

Let this pre-launch be a defining moment in our shared journey. A moment where we reaffirm our unwavering determination to secure justice, dignity, and restitution for the generations past, present, and future. Our unity of purpose in this endeavor will demonstrate to the world that Africa stands as one in demanding what is rightfully owed to its people.

Together, let us advance the cause of reparations with boldness, clarity, and an unyielding commitment to justice.

I thank you.