The African Union (AU) recently adopted a resolution calling for the United Nations to officially recognize the transatlantic slave trade as "the most serious crime against humanity." This initiative is led by Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, who plans to present the resolution at the UN in March. Mahama emphasized that Afro-descendant communities have long awaited such recognition, arguing that the legal and moral grounds for acknowledging this crime are undeniable.

During his speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly last September, Mahama first introduced the idea of prioritizing the acknowledgment of slavery as a humanitarian crime. He has since been appointed as the AU's special envoy to advocate for reparations to African nations for the injustices suffered during colonialism. The recent adoption of this resolution was celebrated at the AU's 39th Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, highlighting the continent's commitment to addressing historical grievances through political dialogue.

Mahama's initiative represents a significant step towards global recognition of the extensive impacts of slavery and colonialism. By urging the UN to categorize transatlantic slavery as the most serious violation of human rights, the president aims not only to seek justice for the descendants of enslaved people but also to pave the way for discussions surrounding reparations. This call for action serves as a reminder of the importance of historical acknowledgment in the pursuit of social justice and equity for African nations and their diaspora.