Statement on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution

 Statement by the African Democratic Alliance of Freedom and Progress

on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution Recognizing the Transatlantic Slave Trade as a Crime Against Humanity
The African Democratic Alliance of Freedom and Progress expresses its strong support for the historic resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 March 2026, recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as one of the most serious crimes against humanity.
This resolution represents a long-overdue acknowledgment of the immense suffering inflicted upon Africa and people of African descent worldwide. For over four centuries, about 13 million African men, women, and children were violently uprooted from their homelands. 1.8 milion perished during the brutal Middle Passage, while those who survived were subjected to inhumane exploitation, stripped of their dignity, identity, and fundamental rights. The consequences of this tragedy have profoundly shaped the underdevelopment of Africa, weakening its societies, economies, and institutions, and leaving deep scars that persist to this day.
Recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity is a necessary step toward addressing its enduring consequences, including structural inequalities, racism, and global imbalances in development.
We commend the courage and leadership of Ghana, the African Union, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and all those who stood firmly behind this initiative. We particularly salute the 123 countries that voted in favor of the resolution. Their position reflects a commitment to truth, historical responsibility, and the universal principles of justice and human dignity.
At the same time, we express our concern regarding the 52 countries that chose to abstain, mostly from Europe, as well as the three countries that voted against the resolution. Given the historical roles and responsibilities, these positions raise serious questions about the depth of these governments’ commitment to confronting the past and advancing genuine reconciliation.
Nations that benefited from slavery must now undertake a sincere process of reflection and responsibility. It is essential to ensure that such injustices are never repeated, including in modern forms of exploitation, such as the unjust extraction of skills, wealth, and natural resources from the African continent. Africa must be empowered to build a prosperous future based on the full potential of its people and the fair use of its resources.
The African Democratic Alliance of Freedom and Progress calls for this historic recognition to be followed by concrete actions, including meaningful dialogue on reparations, educational initiatives to preserve historical memory, and policies aimed at eliminating the lasting effects of this crime.

African Democratic Alliance of Freedom and Progress
29 March 2026