Lead charge for reparative justice - President Mahama to AU leaders

President John Dramani Mahama has called on AU member states to lead the charge and ensure that reparative justices perform their mandate effectively. 

“We must empower these bodies with the resources, visibility and mandate to lead us on this noble journey of truth, justice, and restitution.

“Let this not be another declaration left on paper; let it be a living mandate for action,” he said.

The President expressed appreciation for the AU Executive Council’s approval of terms of reference for the AU Commission of Experts on Reparations and its Reference Group of Legal Experts on Reparations for the milestone achieved, but said they needed to be backed with more resources.

President Mahama was addressing the 13th AU High-Level Delegation (HLD) dialogue on democracy, governance and human rights in Accra yesterday.

The HLD is a flagship initiative of the AU convened under the auspices of the African Governance Architecture and African Peace and Security Architecture (AGA-APSA) Platform to foster inclusive dialogue among diverse stakeholders.

It serves as a forum to reflect on key thematic issues and provides an annual space for policy discussions on democratic governance, human rights, peace and security, and other pressing matters.

Event

The two-day event, which was on the theme: “Justice, reparations and state building”, aimed to assess, identify and explore normative and structural enablers that can advance democratic governance across Africa.

Some notable dignitaries who graced the event were the Commissioner of the AU Commission on Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Sahlework Zewdie; former President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi; former Vice-President of Zimbabwe, Joice Mujuru; former Prime Minister of Tunisia, Nala Bouden; and the African Youth Ambassador for Peace (AYAP), Simone Mbode Diouf.

Also present were the acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonney; a former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo; the General-Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, and the Minister of Communication, Innovations and Digital Technology, Samuel Nartey George, among others. 

Democracy

The President said there was a need for legally binding frameworks across all AU member states to safeguard the continent’s civic space, adding that rights to organise, participate and protest, and press freedom must be preserved.

He underscored the need for African leaders to practise a democracy that was not only institutional but also relational and rooted in the experiences and expectations of their people.

President Mahama said democracy could not thrive in the presence of fear or repression, as the legitimacy of governments depended on the inclusion of all.

“Therefore, we must integrate political and civic education into our school curriculum. We must encourage public engagement through national dialogues and community platforms, and we must ensure that our democratic institutions speak a language our citizens understand and trust,” he said.

The President urged African leaders to boldly pursue justice for the past, present and future generations. 

Collaboration

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said sustainable development and lasting peace must be rooted in fairness, inclusivity, and the recognition or redress of historical injustices.

He said that the High-Level Dialogue must collaborate, envision and actively pursue a future where restorative justice moved beyond rhetorical distance and manifested as a tangible reality for all.

The minister described the event as a timely and significant opportunity to cultivate meaningful avenues towards justice, drawing upon the wisdom of the continent’s forerunners, the passion of the youth, the exigencies of the African manner, and the invaluable contributions of the diaspora.

For his part, the Commissioner of the AU Commission on Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, who delivered the speech of the Chairman of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said Africa must focus on transformative change which works towards peace and security.

“We continue to aspire for a united, dignified, global, influential Africa. But, as we gather today, the fundamental truth is that justice, including reparative justice, peace and stability, must be the cardinal principles; the cornerstones of our transformation,” he said.