Civil Society Organizations, Media and representatives of the Diaspora have urged the Pan-African Parliament to engage with all stakeholders to elaborate and adopt legislations (Model Law) which will give a clear, comprehensive definition of reparations, and form criteria for reparatory justice initiatives based on the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.
This declaration is part of a comprehensive declaration adopted at the recently concluded four-day Pan-African Parliament engagement with media, civil society organizations, and the diaspora, held in Senegal. The event aimed to "foster Pan-African synergies for justice and reparations" in anticipation of the African Union (AU) Theme for 2025 on "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations." The declaration was symbolically made from Gorée Island, serving as a poignant reminder of one of the darkest moments in both Africa's and humanity's history.
Gorée, stands as a powerful symbol of Africa’s resilience. Its history as a focal point of the transatlantic slave trade and a site of reflection for humanity's collective memory made it a profoundly meaningful venue for the declaration read by Hon Mohamed Ahamada Baco, Vice Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Justice and Human Rights, in the presence of participants.
The participants affirm that justice requires an honest and comprehensive assessment of past and current harms experienced by African peoples around the world as a result of the crimes of slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism and its legacies. Reparations and healing are the critical building blocks for a justice-centered world in which the human rights of all people are protected.
The Dakar gathering also formed part of the commemoration campaign of the 20-year anniversary campaign of the Pan-African Parliament which began earlier this year. As the deliberative organ of the AU, the Pan-African Parliament has been instrumental in advancing the voices of African citizens in continental governance and policy-making. This milestone, the celebration of the Pan-African Parliament 20 years, provides an opportune moment to reflect on the Pan-African Parliament’s contributions to justice, equity, and social inclusion across the continent.
In alignment with the AU’s 2025 theme, the commemoration in Dakar explored strategies to strengthen PAP’s role in addressing historical injustices, fostering accountability, and promoting reparative justice as a cornerstone of Africa’s transformative agenda under Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
Other issues participants deliberated on included strategies to enhance collaboration with key stakeholders such as media, CSO’s and the diaspora to enhance the image of the Pan-African Parliament in the discharge of its mandate.
Participants accentuated the pivotal role of the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) in advancing the Pan-African Parliament visibility within the continent and beyond.
Participants strongly underscored the need for the media to hold Pan-African Parliament members accountable before, during, and after sessions, and urged the Pan-African Parliament to institute a mandatory country briefing to be instituted, requiring Pan-African Parliament Members to submit regular reports to both their respective parliaments and the media
Participants underscored the need to engage with stakeholders to reflect on a broader definition of Diaspora, so as to enrich the existing definition contained in article 3q of the African Union Constitutive Act. Recommend the creation of a Diaspora Commission tasked with facilitating engage and ensure permanent discussions with the Diaspora.
They further reaffirm the availability of CSOs in the formulation of model laws in the continent and underscore the need for the Pan-African Parliament to create a Network of CSOs to work with Pan-African Parliament members in the drive for enhanced impact of the work of the Pan-African Parliament in member states.
