The United Nations General Assembly has voted to declare the transatlantic slave trade a crime against humanity. The resolution passed on Wednesday with overwhelming international support.
The measure was sponsored by Ghana and supported by many African countries, including Nigeria. It also calls for a reparations fund to address the long-term impact on descendants of enslaved Africans. The fund will support education, skills training, and community development projects.
Ghana’s foreign minister said the initiative is about justice for victims, not personal gain. “We aim to acknowledge the pain and suffering caused by slavery and help descendants rebuild their communities,” he stated.
The vote ended with 123 countries in favor, three opposed Argentina, Israel, and the United States and 52 abstentions, including Britain, Portugal, and Spain, which were historically involved in the slave trade.
The resolution marks a symbolic step toward recognizing the historical injustices of the slave trade. It highlights the lasting effects of slavery, including economic and social inequality affecting people of African descent worldwide.
