The United Nations General Assembly has designated the transatlantic African slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity” in a resolution adopted Wednesday. The measure, proposed by Ghana’s president, John Dramani Mahama, also calls for reparations as a step towards remedying historical wrongs.
The resolution passed with 123 countries in support and three opposed – the United States, Israel, and Argentina – with 52 abstentions. Backing came from the African Union and the Caribbean Community. Advocates are hailing the vote as a step towards healing and potential reparations.
Ghana’s president urged the UN to recognize the slave trade as a crime against humanity and seek reparations for African nations. The landmark resolution aims for “political recognition at the highest level” and acknowledges the suffering of millions.
In other news, Italy’s prime minister visited Algeria to discuss increasing gas deliveries, and concerns are rising about the potential impact of the Middle East conflict on Kenya’s flower industry.