The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark motion on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, championed by John Dramani Mahama, marking a significant diplomatic milestone for Ghana.
The resolution, presented under Ghana’s leadership on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, secured overwhelming support, with 123 member states voting in favour.
It calls for renewed global commitment to reparative justice for African nations and descendants of enslaved people.
The motion urges UN member states to engage in structured dialogue and take concrete steps to acknowledge and address the enduring social, economic, and cultural impacts of slavery.
However, the resolution faced opposition from three countries—the United States, Argentina, and Israel—while 52 nations abstained.
Explaining its position, the United States described the African Union Reparatory Justice Resolution as “highly problematic.” While acknowledging the historical injustices of slavery, the US cited uncertainty over the intended beneficiaries of reparations as a key concern.
“While we recognize the wrongs of the past, we are unclear on who the beneficiaries of reparatory justice would be, and therefore cannot support the resolution at this time,” the US representative stated during plenary proceedings.
Despite the opposition, the adoption of the motion is being widely hailed as a milestone in global efforts to confront the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, signaling growing international recognition of the need for justice, remembrance, and reparative action.
