Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has voiced strong support for a United Nations (UN) resolution that seeks to formally acknowledge the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity.” This endorsement comes amid increasing calls for reparatory justice.
Speaking yesterday at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)–Africa Summit in Bogotá, Colombia, President Lula emphasized Brazil’s commitment to the African Group at the UN in recognizing human trafficking and the slave trade as among history’s gravest atrocities. He pledged support for the motion set to be presented to the UN General Assembly on March 25, 2026, by President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
The drafted resolution aims to formally recognize the historical injustices of slavery and advocates for the return of stolen artifacts that symbolize African kingdoms, culture, and heritage. It is part of broader efforts to push for structural reforms within the global system to ensure equal opportunities for people of African descent and African nations.
Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President Lula’s endorsement is anticipated to gather momentum for the resolution, particularly given Brazil’s historical significance as a major destination during the transatlantic slave trade.
Historians assess that over 12 million Africans were taken forcefully from their homeland, with Brazil emerging as one of the primary destinations where enslaved individuals labored on plantations and in various sectors across the Americas and Europe. Today, Brazil boasts one of the largest populations of people of African descent outside the continent.
Ghana’s diplomatic initiative has already gathered support from the African Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), along with backing from several Asian countries. In an interview with Russian Television, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, highlighted that this movement reflects a growing consensus among Global South nations on addressing the enduring legacy of slavery.
Ablakwa clarified that the resolution is rooted in historical transparency rather than financial compensation. “The call for reparatory justice is about a shared recognition of the profound injustices inflicted on Africans and their descendants. It is not merely a pursuit of monetary compensation,” he stated.
President Mahama, who serves as the African Union’s champion on reparations, initially listed plans to present the resolution during his address to the UN General Assembly in 2025.
If adopted, the resolution is anticipated to enhance international legal and moral structures resolving the long-term socio-economic effects of slavery while increasing global discussions on reparations. It may also increase pressure on former colonial powers and institutions linked to the slave trade to accept their responsibilities and consider restitution measures.
For Ghana, the preposition aligns with its broader foreign policy agenda focused on historical redress, diaspora involvement, and positioning the country as a leading voice on issues of global justice.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong