AU Chair urges Africa to confront legacy of slavery

The African Union (AU) Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has called on African nations to confront the enduring legacy of slavery as the continent marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.


In a statement issued on the AU’s official X account, Youssouf joined the global community in honouring millions of African men, women and children who were forcibly taken from their homelands, subjected to brutal exploitation and stripped of their dignity.

The AU described the transatlantic slave trade as not only a profound human tragedy but also a structural injustice whose consequences continue to shape societies across Africa and the diaspora. The Chairperson stressed that preserving the memory of these atrocities is essential, alongside a renewed commitment to justice, dignity and equality.

Youssouf urged strengthened global efforts to address the long‑term socio‑economic and cultural impacts of slavery. He emphasised the importance of education, remembrance and dialogue as tools to combat racism, discrimination and all forms of intolerance.

The AU reiterated its commitment to advancing a global agenda of reparative justice, aligned with the aspirations of African peoples and the diaspora. It said the day serves as a reminder of the resilience of African communities and the ongoing need to uphold human dignity and justice.

“As the African Union continues to promote unity, solidarity and shared prosperity, this day stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of African peoples and of the enduring imperative to uphold human dignity and justice for all,” the statement read.