President William Ruto has urged Africa and the Caribbean to stand united in demanding justice over historical wrongs and the ongoing burden of unfair debt.

Speaking during the Second Africa-CARICOM Summit at the United Nations Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday, September 7, 2025, Ruto said the solidarity between Africa and the Caribbean represents a powerful step towards restoring dignity and correcting systemic inequalities.

A call for dignity and resilience

“The united call by Africa and the Caribbean for reparatory justice is a decisive step in restoring dignity, honour, resilience, and correcting the injustices of history,” Ruto stated.

He emphasised that the demand for justice is not only about acknowledging the past but also about ensuring future generations are free from economic and social oppression.

To drive this vision forward, the President proposed practical measures that would strengthen institutional collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean.

“To drive this vision forward, Kenya proposes strengthening the Africa-CARICOM Reparations Working Group by mobilising greater support and resources,” Ruto said, underscoring the need for collective mechanisms to sustain the movement for justice and equity.

According to Ruto, building robust structures will ensure that the shared agenda of Africa and the Caribbean is advanced effectively on global platforms.

Pushing the UN to act

The President called on the United Nations to take deliberate steps in recognising the efforts of Africa and the Caribbean.

“We further call for the United Nations to recognise reparatory justice, take action to confront the crushing weight of unfair debt, and make a commitment to turn every pledge into real and lasting change for present and future generations,” he said.

His remarks highlighted the urgency of addressing the debt crisis that continues to limit development across Africa and the Caribbean. Ruto argued that debt relief and justice should not remain mere rhetoric but must translate into tangible outcomes that uplift citizens across the two regions.

President Ruto affirmed Kenya’s support for closer Africa-Caribbean collaboration, saying the shared struggles and aspirations of the two regions should be transformed into meaningful global influence.

By urging the UN to act, Ruto positioned Africa and the Caribbean as united partners demanding accountability from the global system.