Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has called upon world leaders to confront historical injustices and pursue meaningful reparations to foster genuine healing and unity.
He made these remarks at the Second African Union-Caribbean Community Summit underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is being represented by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.
The summit theme aligns with the AU theme for 2025, which is: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”, which emphasises the critical need of acknowledging historical wrongs as a fundamental step towards genuine healing and unity.
Calling for action that resonates not only within governments but also deep within the hearts of the people, the President said reparatory justice serves as a catalyst for contemporary political and economic renewal.
“This underscores the importance of our shared commitment to forming a strong alliance with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the global African Diaspora in pursuit of reparations and reparatory justice,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said reparatory justice has become a vital issue worldwide, with growing acknowledgement that historical wrongs must be rectified through restitution, acknowledgement, and transformative policies.
While reparatory justice is a driver of contemporary political and economic renewal, the President noted the potential resistance from the perpetrators of the heinous crimes of the slave trade, colonialism and apartheid.
“We saw this when sanctions were unilaterally imposed on Zimbabwe by the perpetrators of colonialism because we tried to correct these historical injustices,” he said.
“For centuries, our continent and the Caribbean endured the brutalities of colonisation, exploitation, and slavery, epic human rights violations that stripped millions of their dignity, identity, and opportunity.
“The scars of these historical injustices are not merely relics of the past but are woven into the very fabric of our contemporary societies, evidenced by systemic inequalities, socio-economic disadvantages, and a persistent sense of disenfranchisement.”
President Mnangagwa said reparatory justice is not just about addressing past wrongs, but about building a united front founded on a just and equitable future, which serves as a meaningful expression of remorse from the perpetrators.
“To achieve this, the African union and CARICOM must work together to turn this commitment into action, aligning efforts to advance justice and reparations in line with the priorities of both institutions,” he said. “The AU’s Agenda 2063 emphasises justice and prosperity. CARICOM’s 10-Point Plan calls for formal apologies and debt cancellation.
The summit offers a platform for joint advocacy, paving the way for common statements at global forums such as the UN General Assembly and the G20,” said President Mnangagwa.
He called for reparations that represent an acknowledgement of the pain and suffering that was endured by African ancestors and the ongoing effects of that legacy on communities today.
“Therefore, the primary reparations our people long for must begin with a heartfelt ‘Sorry’, a word that carries the weight of accountability, empathy, and the first step towards genuine reconciliation,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said Zimbabwe fully supports the establishment of the Transcontinental Partnership Framework, which encompasses the African Union, CARICOM, and the African Diaspora worldwide.
The Framework will be based on the resolution of the Global African Diaspora Summit held in South Africa in 2012 and the subsequent AU Assembly Decision 847 of February 2023, which, among others, called for the establishment of an African Caribbean Joint Mechanism on Reparative Justice.
The new framework is set to build a strong common front among the stakeholders in pursuit of reparations and reparatory justice at the global level.
“We must champion our shared priorities by building strong partnerships and enhancing our global leadership in justice, reparations, and sustainable development,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Our pursuit of reparations should be bold, coordinated, strategic, and based on both historical truth and current geopolitical realities.
“We are grateful that, under the auspices of the African Union, African leaders and peoples are seeking to coordinate and strengthen efforts to promote development and achieve the goals of the ‘Africa We Want,’ as outlined in our AU Agenda 2063, the blueprint guiding Africa toward its envisioned future,” he added.
“In this regard, we urge the rest of the world, including Africa’s 6th Region and the Diaspora, to invest in our economies, industries, and infrastructure to create sustainable job opportunities for our people.”
President Mnangagwa said true justice cannot exist without representation and the ability to influence decisions that affect the people’s lives and communities.
“Political representation for Africa and CARICOM becomes essential, ensuring that Africans and people of African descent have a voice at all levels of government and policy-making,” he said.
“For example, Africa’s call for restructuring the UN Security Council and gaining a permanent seat at the G20 reflects the continent’s desire for fair representation in global governance.”
With over 1,3 billion people and significant contributions to global peace, security, and economic growth, Africa’s demand for inclusion in these key international forums is vital for addressing current challenges and promoting a more balanced and inclusive decision-making process, said the President.
