The African Union Commission has joined the global community in observing the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, using the occasion to renew calls for justice and dignity for people of African descent.
In a statement to mark the day, Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf paid tribute to the millions of African women, men and children who were violently uprooted from their homelands and subjected to what he described as “one of the darkest chapters in human history.”
The AUC Chairperson stressed that the transatlantic slave trade was not only a historic atrocity but also a structural injustice whose effects continue to shape African societies and the wider diaspora.
He noted that remembering the victims must go beyond ceremony and serve as a call to confront the enduring social, economic and cultural consequences of slavery. According to him, preserving the memory of the atrocities is essential to advancing justice, dignity and equality.
Renewed Push for Reparative Justice
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also called for stronger international action to address the long-term impacts of slavery and racism.
He underscored the importance of education, remembrance and open dialogue as tools for combating discrimination and intolerance in all forms.
The statement further reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to advancing a global agenda for reparative justice, in line with the aspirations of Africans and the diaspora.
As the continent continues to champion unity and solidarity, the Chairperson said the day should stand as a reminder of the resilience of African peoples and the urgent need to uphold human dignity and justice for all.
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