May 25, 2025 – Across Africa and beyond, this year’s Africa Day was marked with renewed energy and a powerful political message centered on justice, dignity, and sovereignty.
Africa Day, celebrated annually on May 25, commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963—now succeeded by the African Union (AU). The 2025 celebration holds special significance, aligning with the AU’s official theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”
At an event organized by the Open Society Foundation (OSF) in collaboration with West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR), stakeholders gathered to reflect on Africa’s ongoing struggle for justice and to amplify the call for reparations.
Désiré Assogbavi, Advocacy Advisor for Africa at OSF, emphasized that the reparations agenda must go beyond historical reflection to inspire transformative action. He outlined four critical pillars that should anchor Africa’s demand for restorative justice:
- Moral and historical recognition of the injustices of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic racism;
- Structural reforms and economic sovereignty, including a fairer global financial system;
- Cultural restitution and identity reappropriation, particularly the return of looted artefacts and heritage
- Internal commitment to peace, good governance, and development as a foundation for credible international advocacy.
Under the theme “Restorative Justice for Africans: Reclaiming Dignity and Strengthening Accountability,” the commemorations called for both symbolic and structural reparative measures. These include addressing the enduring effects of historical injustices and promoting global equity.
Similarly, civil society organizations, regional institutions, and diaspora communities have echoed the call, affirming that reparations are not merely about compensation but about restoring dignity, correcting systemic imbalances, and asserting Africa’s rightful place in global governance.
As cultural parades, policy forums, and commemorative events unfolded across African capitals, Africa Day 2025 emerged as a pivotal moment—a renewed assertion of African voices in global discourse and a reaffirmation of the continent’s commitment to a just and sovereign future.
