The African Union is an global political-economic-military organisation, bringing together all 55 African countries. It was established on 9 July 2002 at the Durban Summit, replacing the earlier African Unity Organization. Its office are located in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.
The nonsubjective of the Union was to deepen the integration of the continent and to engage more powerfully in the implementation of the thought of pan-Africanism – to strive for political, economical and social unity of African peoples. The AU seeks to strengthen associate States' sovereignty, advance peace and security, advance economical improvement and advance human rights and democracy. As part of its activities, AU besides undertakes to resolve armed conflicts, monitor electoral processes and represent African interests internationally. It plays an increasingly crucial function in global debates on historical justice, including the issue of reparation for slavery and colonialism.
Reparations: African and Caribbean joint voice
In fresh times, the African Union has become increasingly active in the run for reparation from the erstwhile colonial powers. Together with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the AU demands designation of historical harms (such as slave trade or the exploitation of continent resources) and demands concrete forms of redress.
At the AU–CARICOM Summit held in Ethiopia, the leaders of both regions called on the West to admit their work for systemic injustices, the roots of which date back to centuries of colonialism. The authoritative message states that "Africa and the Caribbean are one-fifth of humanity and should talk with 1 voice internationally, demanding designation of historical crimes, crucial reparations and the elimination of systemic injustice".
This summit was defined as a "turnover point" — the minute of honouring the ancestors, strengthening the position of their descendants and restoring common destiny in a spirit of freedom, justice and unity.
Historical context: colonialism and slavery
Colonialism and transatlantic slave trade are 2 fundamental pillars on which the wealth of many Western countries has been built, at the expense of Africa and its inhabitants. European powers specified as the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Portugal and Germany have benefited from the exploitation of the population and resources of the continent for decades (and even centuries). Although many European and Western countries present are disowning responsibility, the effects of long-term colonial domination cannot be ignored. African countries – even after independency – inactive face the consequences of external interference, economical inequality and deficiency of investment.
As Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, a peculiar typical of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union, noted: “Decolonization was not enough. Political independency has not freed countries from operating structures and decades of neglect. We request a framework for reparation justice."
Ethiopia – an exception in African colonial history
It is worth noting that almost all African states have fallen victim to European colonization. The only exception was Ethiopia, which effectively defended its independency in the 19th century. Although it was attacked by Italy twice – first in 1896 (the conflict of Adua ended with the Ethiopian victory), and later in 1935–1941, erstwhile the Italians temporarily occupied the country – Ethiopia was never colonized permanently. It is in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, that the seat of the Union is located. Symbolically, this place of opposition to colonialism has become the center of African integration and the fight for historical justice.
Who needs reparations?
Although the AU does not mention the circumstantial countries from which it expects reparations, the list of historical colonists is widely known: the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain. It is worth noting that the Caribbean CARICOM block estimated the amount of reparations due for over $100 trillion. Only the United Kingdom demands 24 trillion and 26.8 trillion from the United States. It is argued that the benefits of slavery and colonialism have never been compensated, and the consequences of these crimes are inactive felt by the descendants of the victims.
Opponents of reparation pay attention to the historical complexity of the problem. The United Kingdom and the United States, as any point out, in the 19th century they devoted much resources to combating the slave trade. It besides points to the fact that African kingdoms that sold prisoners of war to Europeans were besides active in human trafficking. The supporters of the reparation, however, respond clearly: regardless of interior complexity, the strategy was organized, monopolized and brutally utilized by colonial empires. And today, they should bear the work – not only symbolic, but besides material.
Repair demands are not just about money. It is simply a broader thought of historical justice: designation of wines, an authoritative apology, investment in infrastructure improvement and education, as well as changes in global political and economical relations. For the African Union and its partners, the conflict for reparations is simply a conflict for equality – to reconstruct dignity to nations that have been marginalized, exploited and oppressed for centuries.
