The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has warmly welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of resolution A/80/L.48, led by the Republic of Ghana.

In a statement on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the African Union Chairperson noted that the UN resolution recognised the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity.

The AUC chairperson commended the Ghanaian president for his impactful leadership through the process, which he says reflects Africa’s longstanding and principled call for the full recognition of the slave trade and its enduring consequences.

“This historic decision marks an important step toward truth, justice, and healing, and reinforces the urgent need to address the enduring legacy of slavery,” the chairperson stated.

At the same time, the AUC Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, reiterated the African Union’s call for comprehensive acknowledgment of the historical and contemporary impacts of slavery, including the pursuit of reparative justice, in line with Agenda 2063 and relevant Assembly decisions.

The African Union further added that it remains committed to working with the United Nations, Member States, and partners to advance historical justice and ensure that such crimes are neither forgotten nor repeated.

The UN vote

The report comes after the United Nations General Assembly voted to recognise the enslavement of Africans during the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity”, a move advocates hope will pave the way for healing and justice.

The resolution, proposed by Ghana, called for the designation, while also urging UN member states to consider apologising for the slave trade and contributing to a reparations fund. It does not mention a specific amount of money.

The proposal was adopted with 123 votes in favour and three against – the United States, Israel and Argentina.

52 countries abstained, including the United Kingdom and European Union member states.

Countries like the UK have long rejected calls to pay reparations, saying today’s institutions cannot be held responsible for past wrongs.

Unlike UN Security Council resolutions, those from the General Assembly are not legally binding, though they carry the weight of global opinion.

“Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of the millions who suffered the indignity of the slave trade and those who continue to suffer racial discrimination,” Ghana’s President John Mahama told the assembly ahead of the vote.