The workshop, organized under the theme, "The role of faith communities and ethical organizations in advancing justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations," brought together approximately 70 dignitaries.
Notable attendees included H.E. Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, Ambassador of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, and Dr. Sousan Massoud, UNESCO Regional Director for Eastern Africa.
The event sought to align faith-based initiatives with the African Union's 2025 agenda dedicated to promoting justice through reparations.
During her opening remarks, Monique Nsanzabaganwa underscored the essential role of faith communities and ethical organizations in addressing the historical injustices faced by Africans and people of African descent.
"Faith-based organizations carry a profound moral responsibility to advance reparative justice and foster collective healing," she stated.
The African Union has declared 2025 as the "Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations," an initiative launched during the 38th AU Summit in February 2025.
This landmark declaration reflects the AU's commitment to addressing the enduring socio-economic impacts of colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and systemic discrimination.
The initiative emphasizes a multi-faceted approach to reparations, combining legal, political, economic, and social measures with the ethical and spiritual dimensions crucial for reconciliation.
The workshop culminated in the signing of the Addis Ababa declaration by religious, ethical, and scientific organizations on reparations proclaimed in the African Union.
This declaration calls for the establishment of an AU Committee of experts on reparations to develop a unified African policy and implement an African program of action on reparations. It also advocates for the recognition of ecological debt, highlighting the environmental damage caused by colonial exploitation and resource extraction.
The Addis Ababa declaration refrains from directly identifying specific parties responsible for reparations. Instead, it frames reparations as a collective global effort to address historical wrongs rather than seeking compensation solely from former colonial powers.
The declaration further proposes the creation of an Ethical Reference Group to guide the AU's reparations initiatives and urges the African Union to declare a decade of reparations to amplify global awareness and promote restorative justice.
Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah praised the workshop's ability to unite diverse stakeholders, expressing optimism about future collaboration. "This event marks a significant step toward addressing historical injustices through collective action and sustained cooperation," she said.
Dr. Sousan Massoud emphasized the value of cross-cultural dialogue in fostering understanding and healing. "Cultural exchange is a powerful tool to bridge divides and promote lasting peace," she remarked.
The workshop's outcomes include a proposal to establish the African Religious Peace Academy (ARPA), an institution that will focus on fostering interfaith dialogue and educational programs promoting religious harmony and peacebuilding across the continent.
Participants also agreed to explore the formation of a continental religious unity body under the AU framework. This body will bring together African religious leaders to support the AU's global peace agenda and strengthen religious solidarity.
There are also plans to develop a peace mediation body to facilitate conflict resolution across African nations. This mediation body will work closely with the AU to address regional disputes through dialogue and peaceful negotiation.
The event was co-hosted by several prominent organizations, including Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO), African Union Chaplaincy (AU Chaplaincy), Pan African Conference of Traditional and Customary Authorities (COPAB), Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Interreligious Association for Peace and Development Africa (IAPD Africa), and the United Religions Initiative (URI).
The Addis Ababa declaration represents a critical milestone in the ongoing struggle for reparative justice. By fostering collaboration between the African Union and faith-based organizations, the declaration aims to transform the moral and legal imperatives of reparations into concrete actions.
With the year of justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations underway, this initiative sets a powerful precedent for addressing historical injustices and promoting a future rooted in justice and reconciliation.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/addis-ababa-declaration-champions-reparations-for-africa
