Lack of political will to resolve Gukurahundi genocide

As Zimbabwe joined the rest of the continent in commemorating Africa Day, human rights watchdog Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has amplified calls for global reparations and justice for Africans and their descendants who suffered under slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and genocides - particularly highlighting the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres which claimed over 20,000 lives.

In a statement marking Africa Day, CiZC spokesperson Marvellous Kumalo called for a comprehensive reparations framework that includes truth-telling, healing, reconciliation, and compensation. This year's theme, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations", he said, resonates deeply with the Coalition's long-standing advocacy for justice for victims of historical injustices.

"The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition joins progressive forces within the continent in amplifying calls for a global commitment to reparations and justice for Africans and people of African descent, who have been victims of past injustices that include genocide, slave trade, colonialism, as well as apartheid," said Kumalo.

He stressed that reparations must go beyond financial compensation to include cultural restoration, the return of stolen assets, social justice initiatives, and reforms aimed at redressing long-standing inequalities.

"This calls for political will and genuine commitment to the reparations process — a genuine expectation from Africans and the people of African descent," he added.

Kumalo urged African governments to actively engage their citizens—especially those directly or indirectly affected by historical atrocities—to ensure inclusive participation in reparative efforts. He also emphasized the role of regional and continental bodies, including the African Union (AU) and faith-based organisations, in facilitating dialogue and justice.

The CiZC called for collaboration between governments, civil society, and international actors to develop a system that acknowledges and compensates for the enduring legacies of past violations.

"We applaud statements from the Fourth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on African Descent in April 2025 that rightly noted, ‘calls for reparatory justice can no longer be ignored'," said Kumalo.

Turning to Zimbabwe, CiZC expressed concern over the government's reluctance to address its own dark chapters, particularly the Gukurahundi massacres carried out by the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces during the 1980s.

"The Coalition notes with concern the intransigence on the part of the Zimbabwean government in addressing past injustices that include the Gukurahundi massacres, political violence, Operation Murambatsvina, the August 2018 army shootings, and the January 2019 protests crackdown," said Kumalo.

He criticised what he described as "cosmetic approaches" by the government, arguing that current initiatives lack sincerity and have largely amounted to political grandstanding.

"Truth telling, engagement with victims, healing and compensation is critical in addressing past injustices and building a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe," he stressed.

CiZC further called for structural reforms to tackle socio-economic inequalities rooted in both colonial and post-independence injustices.

The statement underscores growing domestic and international pressure on governments and global institutions to acknowledge historical wrongs and deliver tangible justice to affected communities. As Africa continues to reflect on its post-colonial journey, the push for reparatory justice is gaining traction across the continent.