A coalition of African and Caribbean states has formally requested a comprehensive apology from former colonial powers for the transatlantic slave trade, during a special session at the United Nations General Assembly. The demand, presented by the African Group and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), seeks acknowledgment of the historical crime and its enduring economic and social consequences. The resolution, if passed, would mark the first time the UN has issued a collective apology for the slave trade, which forcibly displaced an estimated 12.
5 million Africans over four centuries. Discussions are expected to face opposition from European nations, who have previously favoured expressions of regret rather than formal liability. The move aligns with the growing global movement for racial justice and reparatory justice, as articulated in the CARICOM Reparations Commission's ten-point plan.
Observers note that the timing coincides with the UN's International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs until 2024. Legal experts suggest that an apology could pave the way for future claims for reparations, though no binding mechanism currently exists. The session continues amid diplomatic negotiations over the wording of any eventual declaration.