The West Has a Moral Obligation to Pay Reparations

by Ibrahima Faye

The essay from This Is Africa makes a clear moral argument: the West has a duty to repair the harm caused by slavery, colonialism, and other injustices committed against Africa. It is not only about history but about the lasting consequences of those crimes, which still shape Africa’s position in the world today. I found this essay powerful because it does not hide behind legal technicalities but speaks directly about moral responsibility.

The first important point is that the West owes Africa a debt because of the crimes of slavery and colonialism. These were not accidents of history but deliberate systems of exploitation that enriched Europe and left Africa weaker. The essay stresses that moral responsibility does not expire with time. Just because centuries have passed does not mean the harm has disappeared.

The second point is that reparations should take different forms, not just symbolic apologies. The author says that truth commissions, formal apologies, and acknowledgments are necessary, but they are not enough on their own. Reparations must also include material actions, such as financial restitution, support for development, and structural reforms. Words without action would be hollow.

The third point is that reparations should address ongoing inequality. The legacy of slavery and colonialism is still visible in unfair trade systems, underdevelopment, and persistent poverty. True reparations must go beyond a one-time payment. They should help build lasting capacity in Africa through investment in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and fairer economic relationships.

My feelings about this essay are mostly supportive. I agree with the moral claim. As a humanist, I believe morality is based on fairness and the consequences of actions. If one party benefits from harming another, then repairing that harm is a moral obligation. Europe and the West benefited enormously from Africa’s suffering, so they must take responsibility.

At the same time, I am cautious about how this obligation will be carried out. Western governments are often unwilling to accept responsibility because of political pressure at home. They fear opening the door to endless claims. Even when they admit wrongs, they prefer to offer symbolic gestures rather than structural changes. This is why I agree with the essay’s call that reparations must go beyond apologies. Without structural change, the injustice will continue under new forms.

Another concern I have is about what happens after reparations are given. African governments must ensure transparency and fairness. If reparations flow into corrupt systems, ordinary people will see little change. For reparations to be meaningful, they must be linked to accountability and social investment, not elite enrichment.

In conclusion, the This Is Africa essay makes a strong case that the West has a moral obligation to Africa. I agree with this view. True reparations should be both symbolic and material, but most importantly, they must be tied to systemic reforms that build Africa’s future. Without this, reparations will risk being shallow.