Faith Communities Discussing About Advancing Justice for Africans, People of African Descent

Addis Ababa, February, 27, 2025 (ENA)--- A workshop organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in collaboration with the African Union under the theme “The Role of Faith communities and Ethical Organizations in Advancing Justice for Africans and people of African Descent Through Reparations,” is taking place in Ethiopia.

The theme for the African Union (AU) in 2025 is "Reparations for Africans and People of African Descent as a Means to Achieve Justice." 

The theme aims to address the ongoing effects of colonialism, slavery, and systemic discrimination against Africans and people of African descent. IT seeks to unite Africans on the continent and those living in the diaspora in their pursuit of justice.

The workshop is aimed at exploring spiritual and ethical perspectives on reparations and investigates the moral, theological, and philosophical foundations of reparative justice, drawing from diverse faith traditions within Africa and the diaspora.

Opening the workshop, AUC Deputy Chairperson, Monique Nsanzabaganwa stressed that the 2025 AU theme is a call for action.

She further emphasized that faith is a powerful force for change and urged faith leaders to use it in this regard.

The workshop aspires to mobilize faith-based and ethical organizations thereby identify how faith communities and ethical institutions can mobilize resources, raise awareness, and contribute to the broader reparation agenda at community, national, regional, and continental levels.

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, slavery, and colonization inflicted profound and lasting harm on Africans and people of African descent, with effects still felt today.

At the social and cultural level, the forced removal of millions of Africans shattered communities, dismantled family structures, and disrupted social institutions.

Traditional customs, languages, and identities were suppressed, leading to cultural disintegration that hindered the transmission of heritage to future generations.

At the economic level, slavery and colonization stripped African nations of their resources and labor.

Enslaved Africans fueled the wealth of colonial powers while being denied compensation, rights, and dignity.

Colonial policies exploited Africa's natural resources for European benefit, leaving economies impoverished and dependent.

At the political level, colonization stripped African nations of sovereignty, imposing foreign governance that dismantled traditional political systems.

The imposed borders and centralized colonial structures sowed divisions and conflicts.

This workshop and other similar continental and international engagements are vital instruments to effectively implement AU’s reparation endeavor  by creating a broad-based international recognition and acceptance.    

Leaders of different faith, AUC Deputy Chairperson, Ambassadors and representatives of different regional, continental and international organizations are attending the two-day workshop.