Addis Ababa, March 26, 2026 (FMC) — The African Union Commission has welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of resolution A/80/L.48, led by Ghana, recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity.
In a statement issued today, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, described the adoption of the resolution as a historic decision that marks an important step toward truth, justice, and healing, and underscores the urgent need to address the enduring legacy of slavery.
Youssouf commended Ghana’s leadership in advancing the resolution, saying it reflects Africa’s longstanding call for full recognition of the slave trade and its enduring consequences.
He reiterated the African Union’s call for comprehensive acknowledgment of both the historical and contemporary impacts of slavery, including the pursuit of reparative justice in line with Agenda 2063 and prior Assembly decisions.
The Commission affirmed its commitment to working with the United Nations, member states, and international partners to advance historical justice and ensure that such crimes are neither forgotten nor repeated.