Russia backs Africa’s reparations push, says colonial powers must be held accountable

Africa, International

ACCRA, Ghana (NPA) — Russia has thrown its weight behind Africa’s growing demand for reparations over the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, insisting that former colonial powers bear moral, political and material responsibility for the historic injustices inflicted on the continent.

Speaking at the Conference on the Implementation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 80/250 in Accra, Ghana, Russia’s Ambassador to Ghana, Andrei Ordash, described the transatlantic slave trade as one of the darkest chapters in human history and called for concrete actions to address its enduring consequences.

Ordash commended Ghana for its leadership role in advancing global discussions on historical justice, particularly its contribution to the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 80/250, which declares the trafficking of enslaved Africans and race-based slavery as the gravest crimes against humanity.

“The transatlantic slave trade is one of the darkest pages and greatest tragedies in the history of humankind,” he said.

According to the ambassador, the forced removal of millions of Africans from their homeland over several centuries destroyed traditional societies, fuelled conflicts, enabled the colonisation of Africa and entrenched socio-economic inequalities that continue to affect the continent today.

He argued that the economic prosperity enjoyed by many developed countries was built on the exploitation of Africa’s people and resources during the slave trade and colonial eras.

“The welfare of the former colonial powers is literally built on the blood, sweat and resources of the African continent,” Ordash said.

The Russian envoy also warned that colonialism had not entirely disappeared but had evolved into what he described as modern-day neocolonialism, characterised by financial pressure, technological restrictions and sanctions aimed at maintaining control over developing nations.

He welcomed the African Union’s decision to extend its reparations agenda beyond 2025 and praised Ghanaian President John Mahama for his role as the African Union Champion for Reparations.

Ordash said the adoption of Resolution 80/250 marked a major milestone in the global quest for historical justice by providing an international legal framework that could strengthen demands for reparations and compensation.

The ambassador reiterated Russia’s support for Africa’s aspirations for greater sovereignty, economic independence and a stronger voice in global governance.

He noted that Moscow had historically supported African liberation movements and decolonisation efforts, including backing the 1960 UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

Ordash further expressed support for increased African representation in key international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, and welcomed the African Union’s proposal for Security Council reform.

He described the implementation of Resolution 80/250 as the beginning of a broader process aimed at addressing the legacy of slavery and colonialism.

According to him, achieving justice requires more than symbolic gestures and must include reparations, an end to modern forms of exploitation and the creation of conditions that support Africa’s development and prosperity.

Russia also pledged support for the establishment of a high-level advisory council on reparatory justice, a global expert group on cultural restitution and a global legal group on reparations justice.

Ordash said Russia was prepared to contribute expertise from its academic and research institutions and would continue to work with African countries on reparations issues through platforms such as the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.

“Justice has no statute of limitations. It requires not words, but deeds,” he said.