Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations: The African Union’s Bold Call for 2025

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The African Union (AU) declared 2025 the “Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” This is a global summons for truth, healing, and structural transformation. It is a recognition that the legacies of enslavement, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic racism continue to shape the political, economic, and social realities of African people globally, both on the continent and across the diaspora.

The conversations that emerged from the 38th AU Summit and the vibrant ECOSOCC side events clearly articulated that Reparations are not only about the repayment of stolen wealth, they are about the restoration of dignity, land, culture, memory, and self-determination. Reparations must move towards truth and reconciliation with tangible programs that invest in education, health, economic justice, climate resilience, and cultural renaissance.

The AU’s Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC ) has played a catalytic role in ensuring that grassroots voices, civil society, youth, and faith-based actors are central to this reparations discourse. There is a collective movement throughout the 6 regions of the AU to see equitable global governance, debt cancellation, climate justice, and reparatory education systems that centre African knowledge systems and indigenous leadership.

The participation of a representative from the Bahamas Reparations Committee in the African Union’s historic discussions on reparations and justice marked a powerful moment of reconnection between the Caribbean and the African continent. It symbolized not only the deepening solidarity between Africa and its 6th Region—the African Diaspora—but also a homecoming of sorts, as the Bahamian delegate engaged with members of the Bahamian community who had repatriated to Ethiopia decades ago in pursuit of ancestral reconnection and Pan-African unity. This encounter reaffirmed the shared historical struggles and aspirations of African-descended peoples globally and underscored the importance of bridging the geographic, spiritual, and political divides that have separated Africa and the Caribbean for centuries. It also reflected the commitment of The Bahamas, through its Reparations Committee, to advocate for global reparatory justice, while honoring the legacy of those who returned to Africa as living embodiments of the Pan-African vision of unity, self-determination, and healing.

At the heart of these conversations is the understanding that climate solutions, sustainable development, and peace building are inseparable from reparations. A world fractured by injustice, colonial legacies, and systemic violence cannot co-create climate-resilient communities. Justice must be the soil from which climate and economic solutions grow.

On February 27–28, 2025, faith-based, ethical, and interfaith organizations from across Africa and the diaspora convened to champion reparative justice for Africans and people of African descent. The event, themed “The Role of Faith Communities and Ethical Organizations in Advancing Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” was hosted at the Kuriftu Resort African Village and the African Union Commission, bringing together approximately 100 participants, including high-level officials, religious leaders, scholars, and human rights advocates. Organized by entities such as the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the African Union Catholic Chaplaincy, and the United Religions Initiative (URI), the conference underscored the moral and legal imperatives of reparations. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Dr. Rita Bissoonauth of UNESCO, highlighted the historical injustices and the necessity for restorative measures. 

The conference culminated in the adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Reparations, which calls for the establishment of an AU Committee of Experts on Reparations, the appointment of a Special Envoy on Reparations, and the recognition of ecological debt as part of the reparations discourse. This gathering marked a significant step towards acknowledging historical truths, fostering reconciliation, and creating pathways for economic and social empowerment.

During his one-month Reparatory Justice mission to Ethiopia, Priest Rithmond McKinney, International Ambassador of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (EABIC), headquartered in Jamaica with representation across the diaspora, played a pivotal role in bridging the spiritual, cultural, and political dimensions of the reparatory justice movement. His mission not only amplified the call for justice and repatriation but also created a powerful moment of reconnection with members of the Bobo Shante Rasta community in Shashamane from The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean who had repatriated to Ethiopia decades ago. These heartfelt reunions were more than symbolic; they embodied the living legacy of the right of return and grounded the AU’s 2025 theme of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” in lived experiences.

Shashamane holds profound significance for the global Black and Rastafari community as a sacred symbol of repatriation, liberation, and the enduring connection to Africa as the ancestral homeland. Gifted by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1948 to people of African descent in the West who had been displaced by the transatlantic slave trade, Shashamane became a beacon of hope for those seeking to fulfill the long-prophesied return to Zion. For the Rastafari community in particular, it represents not only a physical return but also a spiritual reclamation of identity, dignity, and sovereignty.

Shashamane stands as a living testament to pan-African solidarity, resilience, and the enduring struggle for reparatory justice, offering a space where Black people from the diaspora can root themselves in African soil, culture, and traditions while continuing to advocate for global justice, equity, and unity.

During his time in Ethiopia. Priest Rithmond Mckinny became a member of the Ethiopian World Federation. An organization strongly advocating for Green Sustainable Development in Shashamane. 

Priest McKinney’s presence and Reparatory Justice mission helped to pave the way for deeper conversations on the moral, legal, and spiritual imperatives of reparatory justice, affirming the central role of diaspora communities in shaping and advancing Africa’s vision of unity, dignity, and restorative justice.

 

UN Water – New York, USA

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 The Permanent Mission of The  Bahamas under the leadership of H.E. Amb. Stan Smith  hosted a Side Event titled “Sustainable Climate Action and Capacity Building for the Water Crisis” at the UN Water Conference held at the United Nations HQ in NY. The event was co-Sponsored by the Permanent Missions of the Kingdom of Morocco and Tajikistan. In affiliation with UNITAR and UNESCO and in association with the World Youth Group. It was an honour for YME to support in the facilitation of this event. 

Water-insecure communities require integrated and sustainable management systems to address the nexus of water, energy, and food.  The water-energy-food nexus is underpinned by the intersections with biodiversity loss and climate change. This complex convergence must be understood from water’s source to the sea at local, national, regional, and global levels. Data generation, validation, standardisation, and information exchanged across sectors is an important contribution to sustainable integrated water management. 

Innovation is required to 1) identify the specific needs 2) finance the research,  and 3) carry out the implementation of transformational systemic approaches to address the water crisis.

It is critical to support the development of innovations that support the transboundary management of shared water resources to ensure that future generations benefit from this fragile resource- water.  Effective regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation are necessary.

Priority should be placed on investing in Intergenerational capacity building for water education that focuses on critical thinking and scientific results that strengthen knowledge systems. 

Knowledge sharing especially between African and Caribbean countries and their youth is paramount for the transferring of existing innovations and knowledge solutions that can be sustainable scaled. Improving the collective understanding and application of scientific results supports policy-makers, local governments, and water resource operators to achieve the collective goal of water sovereignty.

UNESCO – YOUCAN (Youth Climate Action Network) Members from Morocco and The Bahamas emphasised the importance of grounding business models and development in all water solutions that engage young people.  

 Members from the Bahamas UNESCO -IHP Committee spent time developing a plan for expanding the existing coverage of hydrometric data points throughout The Bahamas. The existing data gaps in our understanding of the water crisis and climate nexus calls for a national commitment to research driven decision making; this will de-risk the decision making process by providing insights that reduce cost and increase the ability to provide equitable access to quality water for all.

When policy makers have the ability to make informed decisions, costs can be reduced. Robust data sets support accountability and transparency at both the policy and implementation levels. Key Recommendations coming out of the UN Water Conference include: 1) The National Meteorological Agency working with the WMO and the National UNESCO IHP Committee should prioritise building capacity for and implement culturally relevant and strategically designed citizen science  and community science programmes that increase the robustness of  existing hydrological data sets.

2) Prioritise research driven decision making by creating National Research Budgets that support the design, collection, streamlining, and aggregation of different data sets that have been collected by different agencies including but not limited to Ministries and Institutions, Utilities and Service Providers, Academia, The Private Sector,and Civil Society. 3) Invest in intergenerational water education that supports the cultivation of an enabling environment for innovative technologies, systems, and programmes to be developed by investing in water and climate solutions business incubators for young people that nurtures start-ups within sectors of artificial intelligence, research, and the production of  business actionable water insights.

 Immediate Actions coming out of the water conference include 1) the convening of a multi stakeholder  National water symposium hosted in The Bahamas to co-create the research questions that will drive the water -climate researched being led by our CICI research team 2) Strengthening the relationship between The Bahamas and The Gambia in the co-creation of  water-ocean solutions. 

Gender is my Agenda Campaign – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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The Gender is My Agenda pre  meetings to the African Union Summit and the UN CSW meetings highlighted that women are an untapped resources that can be an economic growth accelerator throughout Africa. Women are often in unpaid work positions where their full potential have not been harnesses due to challenges in trade, restrictions on land property rights, barriers to accessing finances with limited products and resources. Women are often faced with harassment and gender based violence in the work place. 

The conference emphasised the import role that the AfCFTA can play as a catalyst for the digital transformation as a driver to inter-africa trade as e-commerse has tremendous potential too increase financial inclusion. Women’s economic empowerment is important for gender equity and achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There is a need for integrated and collaborative approaches for the integration of women traders. 

The youth must use their skills to support their elders in accessing digital spaces, there is tremendous opportunity for financial growth for youth and rural older women if we work together. Other issues that need to be address are the freedom and safety of movement throughout the content and across existing boarders. A recurring conversation was the reminder of ” Who created the African borders? We are not able to access different countries because we need visas to travel throughout my own motherland. We must break those barriers. We must education ourselves with the polices and harmonise the quality assurances and standards. “

Other conversations reminded us that ” we cannot talk about the barriers and things like education and health if women’s bodies are not their own and treated as needing specific attention and health polices. – ” You can’t pay attention to one and not pay attention to the other.”

The GIMAC Founder reminded the audience to “Claim yourself your space. We need to write our stories. We must be with the women who are suffering. We need to support South Sudan and all the women who are in conflict. We need to be together. We don’t divide. We are one” – GIMAC Founder

Members of our YME Ethiopia family attend the meeting. One of the outcomes from this meeting was the establishment of the YME Bahamas Women in Leadership Fellowship currently awarded to Melat Yohannas ( last on the right). Melat is working closely with the YME Bahamas CEO to embolden the role that YME plays at the intersection of women, youth, sustainable development, and financial inclusion. 

Internet Governance Forum – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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The Internet Governance Forum was an important meeting for YME to be an observer at. Access to the internet and technology is at the heart of building capacity and supporting sustainable development. While the internet is a powerful tool there are also huge threats that is important for us to take into consideration. Topics highlighted during the conference include the challenges that Women and Children experience as it relates to bullying and sexual harassment. 

A youth representative from Trinidad and Tobago advocated for the importance for SIDS and the needs of SIDS to be at the heart of the solutions coming out of the 17th Annual Internet Governance Forum. SIDS by our nature our challenged with connectivity because of our island nature. The internet helps to support meaning engagement and participation with young people however there are major gaps that need to be addressed. 

Priorities for YME that were inspired by our participation in the IGF include increasing access to the highest quality technology and internet services for members in our Africa-Caribbean Climate Action Network. To be at the vanguard of innovation we must be equipped with the best tools. To play your part in the co-creation of climate solutions by improving access to technology and to internet to young people and local communiteis please contact us today. 

Africa Continental Free Trade Area – Dar -Es- Selam , Tanzania

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YME was invited to The Cluster Meeting for the The Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI)  initiative a conversation that took place during the AfCFTA conference ” Women and Youth: The engine of AfCFTA Trade in Africa”.  at which aims to unlock key systemic bottlenecks that perpetuate poverty, deprivation, and social injustice among women and youth in Africa. The goal was to create a workplan that supports, harmonizes, and facilitates the implementation of women and youth financial and economic inclusion initiatives and programmes across the continent.

This meeting presented another opportunities for members of the Africa-Caribbean Climate Action Network to continue conversations that started in Rwanda. Of top priority for YME was to understand where there were opportunities within the wider AfCFTA conversation for YME to develop or co-design sustianable financial models that would help to ensure a steady cashflow for the operational costs of our organisation and collective climate action.

The power packed opening session of the AfCFTA Conference on Youth and Women started with a  High level delegation of the President of Tanzania, President of Ethiopia, Vice Chair of the AU, Vice President of Liberia, Vice President of Uganda, former President of Malawi and Former President of Mauritius all of which were women. It was during this meeting that the concept of Ocean Love Coffee was nurtured by business leaders from Southern Africa.

The most powerful takeaway from this conference was inspired by a statement made by one of the high level speakers who expressed her disappointment at the fact that she had to speak English to inform us that she would not be speaking English on the panel and that it was time for Africa to learn Swahili. We received the message and invite you to learn Kiswahili with us at the next Grouper School Party. 

UN Caribbean Partnership Meeting – Nassau, The Bahamas

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The Caribbean and the world have committed to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals are a structured way of helping us to understand the different challenges that exist in our world and provide a pathway of working towards creating solutions. Ultimately we want a world where the quality of life experience is high for all.  The Bahamas has a population of about 400,000 people and cxollectilvy as the  Caribbean region there are just above 44,000,000.  There is immense power between us should we collectively choose to use it. 

During the partnership meeting we discussed different types of partnerships. These conversations helped our YME team reflect on the type of equitable partnerships we want to be part of co-creating. Key take aways from this meeting included  the importance of communication. A partnership is a long term relationship especially when we live on tiny islands. Developing effective tools of communicating with partners, expressing needs, receiving constructive feedback, offering support and sitting with and working through the sometimes uncomfortableness of conflict are important skills to develop.

The absence of sustainable cashflow can create complications in achieving our sustainable development goals. Learning to see ourselves as part of a larger community is critical to ensuring that we can design programmes and projects that are inclusive to all partners throughout the different sectors of society.   Data generation,  access, and sharing are components of sustainable development that we must prioritise. Ensuring that organisational partners have the capacity to share the success and challenges of their work is at the bedrock of being able to build resilient communities. 

The private sector and civil society must be able to work hand in hand with our governments as we build a resilient Caribbean region. Recommendations to improve the quality of partnership throughout the region would be to fund a large scale 3 year minimum capacity building grant designed specifically to work with Caribbean civil society to build out revenue generating financial and strategic plans for the respective organisations. 

Ensuring that a critical mass of local organisations throughout the region have robust internal systems that support a healthy ecosystem for partnership should be our regional priority. This is in direct alignment with SDG 16 – Peace Justice and Strong Institutions  and SDG 17- Partnership for the goals.  The strength of our civil society and our ability to work in tandem with the private sector is essential for a shared peaceful future. 

Strengthening the civil society sector throughout the Caribbean must be our collective priority. YME was thrilled to participate in this workshop and we are in deep reflection on how we can improve as a partner and build greater relationships with other organisations beyond our current organisational comfort zone.