Dakar, Senegal – On the occasion of Africa Day 2025, participants from across Africa and the diaspora gathered in Dakar, Senegal and online for a powerful Pan-African Dialogue focused on reparative justice.
Held under the theme “Reparative Justice for Africans: Reclaiming Dignity and Building Accountability,” the event brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, youth activists, traditional authorities, artists, and academics for an intergenerational conversation rooted in memory, justice, and action.
Hosted at Hotel Ngor Diarama and streamed live in English and French, the hybrid event echoed the African Union’s 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The gathering challenged participants to think more boldly and towards a common position on reparative justice beyond commemoration.
“We need to go beyond declarations and act concretely to move Africa’s agenda ahead,” said Ousseynou Ly, spokesperson for the Office of the President of Senegal.
“The shadow of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid is still visible across our continent. We owe it to our young generation to remember—and to act.”
“The quest for justice and reparations is rooted in the shared history of transatlantic slavery, colonialism, and apartheid,” added Dr. Eyole Nganje Monono, Chairperson of the African Union ECOSOCC Political Affairs Cluster.
“The African Union is committed to addressing these historical injustices.”
The dialogue emphasised that reparative justice is not only about the past—it is about understanding and confronting the deeply rooted systems of inequality still shaping African lives today.
“This year’s theme resonates as a call to action—an invitation to confront past injustices and build a fairer future,” said Desire Assogbavi, Advocacy Advisor at Open Society Foundations.
“The scars left by slavery, colonisation, apartheid, and systemic discrimination remain visible. These historical injustices have generated persistent inequalities, hindering the development of our nations and the well-being of our people.”
Speakers outlined a growing momentum toward a Common African Position on Reparations anchored in four key pillars:
- Moral and historical recognition of slavery, colonisation, apartheid, and systemic racism.
- Structural reform and economic sovereignty to redress global trade, finance, and governance inequalities.
- Cultural restitution and identity reclamation, including the return of stolen cultural artefacts and the restoration of African heritage.
- Domestic recommitment to good governance and development, emphasising peace, democracy, and social investment.
“The reparative justice we demand from the world also requires greater accountability from African leaders towards their people,” Assogbavi noted.
“African states must improve governance, fight corruption, and invest in education, health, and economic opportunities.”
The dialogue expanded the conversation to include the urgent, modern consequences of historical injustice, particularly climate and environmental harm.
“To address historical injustices means acknowledging the profound harm caused by slavery, colonialism, and apartheid—and the continuing impact on our people,” said Brian Kagoro, Managing Director, Open Society Foundations.
“Reparative justice means building a more equitable future by addressing systemic inequalities—wealth disparities, unequal access to services, and environmental degradation.”
Kagoro stressed that reparations must address both psychological and material dimensions of harm:
“Victims and survivors are still healing from the collective trauma and psychological scars of oppression,” he said.
“Reparations must restore dignity and empower people to reclaim control over their futures. That includes addressing the ongoing consequences of exclusion—like climate injustice, pollution, biodiversity loss, and unequal responsibility for historical emissions.”
“This is also a matter of international law and human rights,” Kagoro continued.
“Reparations represent the highest expression of international principles of justice and dignity. They take many forms—financial compensation, public acknowledgement and apology, memorialization, guarantees of non-repetition. They’re essential for repairing the deep wounds of colonialism, apartheid, enslavement, and geopolitical manipulation.”
“Ultimately, reparations are about creating the conditions for a just and equitable future,” he concluded.
“Not just for healing the past, but for transforming tomorrow.”
The event featured expert presentations, cultural performances, youth dialogues, and vibrant audience engagement. It also highlighted the central role of young people, media, and artists in sustaining the push for justice.
“Reparative justice goes beyond financial compensation,” said Assogbavi.
“It entails recognition of the harm suffered, restitution of looted cultural property, and the implementation of policies that address structural imbalances.”
Organised by the Open Society Foundations, the National Youth Council of Senegal, West African Democracy Radio, AU-ECOSOCC, Junior Chamber Senegal, and The ONE Campaign Francophone Africa Directorate, the gathering marked a bold step in Africa’s collective journey to reclaim dignity and demand transformative justice.
“On Africa Day, we honour not just our history, but our agency—our right to shape a future built on equity, dignity, and accountability,” Kagoro said in closing.
