Displaced International Statement on the African Union’s 2025 Theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”

Displaced International (DI) fully supports the African Union’s 2025 Theme of the Year, which underscores the urgent need for reparatory justice and racial healing. Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, DI Founder & President, stresses:

“We stand in solidarity with the African Union’s 2025 theme, ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.’ The pursuit of justice must be a shared global responsibility—African leaders, in collaboration with the international community, must take bold steps to address both historical wrongs and persistent post-colonial injustices. Forced displacement across the continent is not just a legacy of the past but a continuing crisis driven by conflict, economic hardship, and systemic inequities. Unless these root causes are meaningfully confronted, displacement will persist, and true justice will remain elusive. Achieving sustainable peace and reparative justice requires proactive leadership, governance reforms, and policies that eliminate the conditions forcing people from their homes.”

Reparations must go beyond acknowledging historical injustices; they must actively dismantle modern structures that perpetuate displacement, poverty, and conflict. The African Union’s 2025 theme serves as a call to action for African leaders and global partners alike to engage in meaningful solutions that drive long-term social and economic transformation.

As the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government convenes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, DI urges African leaders to take decisive steps toward justice and development, while calling on the international community to support and invest in these efforts. Reparatory justice must translate into concrete policies that:

• Address economic disparities and promote inclusive development.
• Strengthen governance and institutional accountability to build resilient societies.
• Empower displaced communities with opportunities to rebuild and thrive.

DI remains steadfast in advocating for displaced populations across Africa and beyond, ensuring their voices are heard in the global movement for justice and reparations. We call on all stakeholders to support the African Union Summit and work collectively toward a future where forced displacement is no longer a consequence of unaddressed injustices.

Now is the time for action. By fostering strong leadership, meaningful partnerships, and tangible policy reforms, we can build a future rooted in justice, dignity, and sustainable peace.