The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has officially opened the Sitting of its Permanent Committees under the African Union (AU) Theme for 2025: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The week-long Sitting, running from 24 to 28 February 2025, underscores the Pan-African Parliament’s commitment to advancing justice, equality, and reparations for historical injustices suffered by Africans and their descendants worldwide.
The official opening ceremony, presided over by H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, brought together distinguished dignitaries, representatives of the African Union, members of the diplomatic corps, and international partners. In his remarks, President Charumbira emphasized the urgent need for a unified African voice in championing reparative justice.
“Reparations are not just about compensation for past injustices; they are about repairing the very foundations of our societies—psychologically, economically, and politically—to ensure a future built on justice, dignity, and equality,” stated President Charumbira. This year’s committee sittings aim to ensure that the PAP fulfills its mandate as a representative voice of the African people. The committees will focus on actionable strategies that contribute to the AU’s broader objectives, including peace, economic integration, and human rights promotion.
“As the legislative arm of the African Union, we must stand firm in our resolve to demand justice for our people and ensure that the scars of slavery, colonialism, and exploitation are addressed through meaningful action,” added President Charumbira.
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, echoed this sentiment by highlighting the vital role of the PAP in advancing justice and unity across the continent.
“A Pan-African Parliament with full legislative power can play a vital role in advancing the African cause. By advocating for reparative justice within its committees, PAP can be the driving force behind the campaign for reparations, not only raising awareness but also developing policies and lobbying for legal frameworks that hold former colonizing powers accountable,” she asserted.
Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, outgoing Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, emphasized the importance of coalition-building across the continent and in the diaspora to ensure a sustainable journey toward justice.
“ I urge the Pan-African Parliament to incorporate notions of equity and solidarity in its Committee discussions, aligning with the African Union's Theme of the Year. The Pan-African Parliament should take the lead in developing strategies that inspire meaningful change across Africa and in the diaspora.”
Welcoming African legislators to Midrand on behalf of the host country, Hon. Thandi Moraka, Deputy Minister of Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, also commended the Pan-African Parliament for the role it intends to play in line with the African Union's theme of the year.
“The African Union theme for 2025, entitled ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,’ is timely and welcomed, as it defines and charts the way forward even for the Pan-African Parliament. The Pan-African Parliament must be applauded for having already done significant work in the areas of the Diaspora, Pan-Africanism, reaching out to the Sixth Region, and continuous engagement with the Diplomatic Missions from the same Region,” she said.
The sittings also come at a critical time when the continent faces ongoing conflicts, economic challenges, and global calls for equitable representation on international platforms such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the G20.
Throughout the week, the Permanent Committees will deliberate on key areas aligned with the AU’s seven Moonshots, including enhancing intra-African trade, promoting peace and stability, and fostering economic empowerment. The outcomes of these deliberations will form the basis of future parliamentary resolutions and recommendations for the AU Assembly.
Delivering a message of solidarity at the opening of the Sitting of Permanent Committees of the 6th Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament today, the CEO of African Peer Review Mechanism, Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre emphasized how synergies between the APRM and the Pan-African Parliament can enhance democratic governance and promote peace and security on the continent.
"The African Peer Review Mechanism fully supports the African Union's 2025 theme, 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.' Reparations are essential for addressing historical injustices and their lasting impact. Through collaboration between the Pan-African Parliament and the APRM, we can advocate for reparative justice and create actionable frameworks that ensure a more equitable and prosperous future for all Africans and people of African descent."
Hon. Wilson Adão, Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), also shared a message of solidarity indicating that the Pan-African Parliament’s efforts towards reparative justice align with ACERWC’s commitment to a future where every child grows up in an Africa that honors their rights.
“Reparations are essential not only for healing historical wounds but for building a sustainable future for the next generation. I acknowledge that the Pan African Parliament plays an important role in advancing the rights of our children and in driving the legislative reforms essential for our collective progress. As a place where the voices of Africans are heard, the Pan African Parliament champions policies that promote social justice, accountability, and unity,” he said.
In hi message of solidarity, Hon. Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights said the Pan-African Parliament has a legislative and diplomatic role to play in realizing the ambitions of justice and reparations for Africans and people of African descent.
“The Pan-African Parliament’s commitment to reparative justice resonates deeply with the African Commission’s mission. Only through comprehensive reparations—spanning legal, cultural, and political realms—can we heal the wounds of history and secure a just future for Africans and people of African descent, “ he said.
Dr. Barryl Biekman, Board Chairperson of the African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region High Council, addressed the opening of the Sitting of Permanent Committees, welcoming the much-awaited inclusion of the diaspora in the activities of the Pan-African community, especially as the African Union focuses on justice and reparations for Africans and people of African descent in 2025.
“The Pan-African Parliament's determination to make Africa's 6th region a crucial stakeholder in its work is commendable. I call on the African Union to view the diaspora as an essential partner in securing justice for all Africans and people of African descent.”
The Sitting of Permanent Committees will include a dedicated Pan-African Parliament Workshop on the African Union Theme for 2025. The workshop covered historical contexts and justification for reparations; legal frameworks and precedents; parliamentary and policy interventions; diaspora engagement; and case studies on reparations movements.
