African leaders are advocating for the formal recognition and criminalization of colonial-era crimes, coupled with demands for reparations. During a recent conference in Algiers, Algeria’s capital, diplomats and officials gathered to further an African Union resolution passed earlier in the year that calls for justice for victims of colonialism.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf emphasized the importance of seeking compensation and reclaiming stolen property, drawing from Algeria’s own experience under French colonial rule. He stated that establishing a legal framework would ensure that restitution is viewed as “neither a gift nor a favour.” Attaf articulated a broader vision, asserting, “Africa is entitled to demand the official and explicit recognition of the crimes committed against its peoples during the colonial period.” He highlighted how the legacy of colonialism continues to affect African nations through exclusion and marginalization.
International laws have prohibited practices such as slavery, torture, and apartheid, yet the United Nations Charter does not make explicit references to colonialism. This gap was a focal point during the African Union’s summit in February, where leaders explored the potential for a unified position on reparations and the formal definition of colonization as a crime against humanity. The economic toll of colonialism on Africa is staggering, with estimates suggesting costs in the trillions. European powers extracted valuable resources—such as gold, rubber, and diamonds—often utilizing brutal methods, while local populations faced severe impoverishment.
In recent years, African nations have intensified efforts to reclaim looted artefacts still held in European museums. Attaf noted the significance of holding the conference in Algeria, a country that endured some of the harshest forms of French colonialism and fought a bloody war for independence from 1954 to 1962. This conflict resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands and saw widespread human rights violations, including torture and forced disappearances.
“Our continent retains the example of Algeria’s bitter ordeal as a rare model, almost without equivalent in history,” Attaf remarked, reinforcing the need to address colonial injustices. Algeria’s historical context also informs its position on the contested region of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony now claimed by Morocco. Attaf described this situation as an instance of unfinished decolonization, calling it “Africa’s last colony” and supporting the indigenous Sahrawis’ right to self-determination.
Algeria’s leaders have long advocated for addressing colonialism through international law. Yet, they remain cautious to avoid exacerbating tensions with France, where the legacy of the Algerian War continues to be a sensitive political issue. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged aspects of this history as crimes against humanity in 2017 but has refrained from issuing a formal apology. Instead, he has encouraged Algerians to move beyond historical grievances.
Compensation for colonial injustices is seen as essential, according to Mohamed Arezki Ferrad, a member of Algeria’s parliament. He noted that reparations should extend beyond symbolic gestures, highlighting the ongoing absence of returned Algerian artefacts, such as the 16th-century cannon known as Baba Merzoug, which remains in Brest, France.
Calls for reparations are not exclusive to Africa. Earlier this month, the Guardian reported on similar movements in the Caribbean, where regional leaders are preparing to advocate for reparative justice from former colonizers. Caribbean nations are seeking recognition of the enduring impact of colonialism and slavery, pressing for formal apologies and financial reparations.
The push for recognition and reparations reflects a broader desire among African nations to address historical injustices and reclaim agency over their narratives. As discussions continue, the outcomes may significantly influence international relations and the legacy of colonialism in the modern world.
