By Ashiadey Dotse
The United Nations General Assembly has passed a historic motion tabled on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, led by John Dramani Mahama, with strong support from member states.
The motion, presented by Ghana on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, received 123 votes in favour. It calls for renewed global commitment to reparative justice for African countries and descendants of enslaved people.
The resolution urges member states to begin structured discussions and take real actions to address the lasting social, economic, and cultural effects of slavery.
After long debates, three countries — the United States, Argentina, and Israel — voted against the motion, while 52 others abstained.
The United States described the African Union Reparatory Justice Resolution as “highly problematic.” While admitting that slavery was wrong, the US said it was unclear who should benefit from reparations.
A US representative told the assembly:
“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.”
Despite the opposition, the approval of the motion is being seen as a major step in global efforts to address the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. It also shows growing international support for justice, remembrance, and reparations.
