African Union Stresses Rights-Based Approach to Justice for Africans

Ambassador Amr Aljowaily, Director of the Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate (CIDO) at the African Union Commission, stressed that a rights-based approach is a fundamental pillar for achieving international justice and reparations for Africans. He made the remarks during the High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance held in Accra, Ghana, within the framework of the African Union’s 2025 Theme of the Year activities.

Aljowaily noted that the African Union Executive Council’s ministerial meeting, held last July in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, formally approved the terms of reference for two key mechanisms tasked with implementing the Theme of the Year: the “Committee of Experts on Reparations” and the “Reference Group of Legal Experts.” These mechanisms will work to develop a unified African position on reparations to be presented in all relevant international forums.

He added that international human rights instruments will serve as an important reference for the two African mechanisms in safeguarding the rights of African peoples and those of African descent, as well as in achieving justice and reparations for crimes of colonialism, apartheid, and the transatlantic slave trade in parliamentary and international platforms.

The CIDO Director concluded his remarks by noting that both mechanisms are expected to begin work in the final quarter of this year, preparing a preliminary report to be presented at the upcoming African Union Summit in February.