Prez. Mahama urges UN to back landmark resolution on slavery

President John Dramani Mahama has called on member states of the United Nations to take a decisive stand by supporting a historic resolution seeking to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, on behalf of the African Union, the President framed the vote as a defining moral moment in global history.

“Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of the millions who suffered the indignity of slavery,” he said, urging nations to act in honour of those affected.

The proposed resolution—titled Declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialised Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity—seeks formal global recognition of slavery, colonisation and apartheid as grave injustices.

It also pushes for reparations, the return of cultural artefacts, and reforms to global systems to ensure fairness for Africa and its diaspora.

President Mahama stressed that neutrality on such an issue would amount to complicity, reinforcing his message with references to historical figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr., both of whom emphasised moral responsibility and justice.

He highlighted the importance of remembrance, noting that the initiative is part of activities marking the International Day for the Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

According to him, remembering the estimated 13 million Africans affected is essential not only for honouring their legacy but also for shaping a fairer future.

“We do more than remember. We document, we educate, and we begin to heal,” he stated.

Also addressing the Assembly, António Guterres called for urgent action to dismantle systemic racism and confront lingering inequalities rooted in slavery. He urged global leaders to challenge harmful narratives and commit fully to human rights and equality.

The Secretary-General acknowledged steps taken by some nations to apologise for their roles in slavery but stressed that meaningful action must go beyond words to address its lasting consequences.

The resolution, backed by the African Union, is expected to intensify global discussions on historical accountability, reparatory justice, and the enduring impact of slavery on people of African descent worldwide.