Russia has signalled its readiness to support African countries in quantifying reparations for colonialism, as global momentum grows around demands for justice over slavery, exploitation and historical dispossession.
The position was outlined by Irina Abramova during a press conference focused on the consequences of colonisation.
Her remarks come just days after 123 countries backed a landmark motion at the United Nations General Assembly recognising the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.
That motion was tabled by John Dramani Mahama, further intensifying the global conversation on reparatory justice.
Russia Proposes Technical Support
Abramova said Russia intends to work with African experts to build a robust, evidence-based case that can stand up on international legal platforms.
According to her, this would involve combining academic expertise with modern analytical tools to estimate the true scale of losses suffered under colonial rule.
“We aim to unite the efforts of Russian scholars – mathematicians, programmers, historians, and economists – with African researchers,” she said, adding that such collaboration could help “substantiate the scale of these reparations and move forward with legal claims.”
She stressed that African states would need to accurately quantify the economic, social and cultural damage caused by colonialism in order to strengthen future compensation demands.
Abramova also drew attention to the leadership role of President Mahama, who she said has become a key figure in advancing the reparations conversation on the continent.
She described him as both a political leader and an intellectual voice helping to shift the debate from symbolism to practical policy.
“In addition to being an outstanding political figure, John Mahama is also a scholar,” she noted, saying his efforts are helping turn reparations into a more concrete international agenda.
Debate Over Accountability Continues
The reparations debate has gained renewed force in recent years, with proposals ranging from financial compensation and debt relief to the return of looted artefacts and formal apologies.
Still, the issue remains deeply contested. Critics argue that present-day governments and institutions should not bear responsibility for crimes committed centuries ago, while advocates insist that the wealth and structural inequalities created by slavery and colonialism remain visible today.
Russia’s intervention is likely to add a new geopolitical layer to the debate, even as African countries continue to push for justice on their own terms.
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