On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, delivered a landmark statement to the African Union
(AU) Executive Council. Acting on behalf of the continent, Ghana announced its intention to table a formal resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on March 25, 2026.
The resolution seeks to move the transatlantic slave trade from a "historical tragedy" to its formal legal classification as the gravest crime against humanity.
The Core Objectives of the 2026 Resolution
Minister Ablakwa outlined that the initiative is not merely symbolic but aimed at creating a global legal framework for:
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Accountability: Formal admission of responsibility by nations that benefited from the trade.
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Restitution: Paving a clear legal path for the return of stolen cultural assets.
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Restorative Justice: Addressing the persistent global economic inequalities rooted in the decimation of African populations.
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Universal Recognition: Honoring the 15 million Africans forcibly removed and the nearly 2 million who perished in the Atlantic.
2026–2035: The Decade of Reparations
Building on the momentum of Ghana’s leadership as the champion of the AU’s 2025 theme on Reparations, the Executive Council has recommended transitioning into a Decade of Reparations (2026–2035).
| Initiative | Strategy | Partners |
| UN Resolution | Universal recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity. | AU Member States & CARICOM |
| Map Correction | Supporting Togo’s initiative to correct distortions in Africa's global image. | AU Technical Experts |
| "Silence the Guns" | Linking historical justice to modern peace and stability. | AU Peace & Security Council |
| Global Diaspora | Strengthening the "Sixth Region" involvement in restitution claims. | African Diaspora Networks |
"Silence the Guns" and Continental Peace
Beyond historical justice, Minister Ablakwa used the platform to address current security crises. He called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order to "silence the guns" across Africa.
“By standing together at the United Nations, we signal to the world that Africa will no longer allow the scale of its historical suffering to be minimized.” — Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Bottom Line
Ghana’s strategy marks a shift from seeking apologies to demanding a global legal shift. By coordinating with CARICOM and the wider diaspora, the AU aims to ensure that March 25th is no longer just a day of remembrance, but a day of legal accountability that sets a precedent for the next decade of African diplomacy.
