How long can Africa carry the weight of unacknowledged history?

by Umar Mohammed

Essay on “Africa is Uniting in the Call for Reparations for Historical Injustices” by Nicolò Vertecchi

Nicolò Vertecchi’s article, “Africa is Uniting in the Call for Reparations for Historical Injustices” captures the growing determination of African nations to confront the enduring legacy of slavery, colonization and exploitation. He highlights three critical contributions, the African Union’s prioritization of reparations, the expanded meaning of reparation beyond financial payments and the sharp contrast between Africa’s unified call and Europe’s limited responses.

The first contribution is Vertecchi’s demonstration of how the African Union has made reparations a flagship priority. Through the creation of a Reparations Secretariat and a common African position, the AU has transformed fragmented demands into a unified political and moral cause. This marks a turning point where reparations are no longer symbolic but institutionalized.

Second, the article emphasizes that reparations cannot be confined to financial transfers. Justice also requires symbolic and cultural measures, the restitution of looted artifact, and honest acknowledgment of history. These forms of recognition restore dignity, making reparations more than an economic calculation.

Finally, Vertecchi hilights the divide between Africa’s collective stance and Europe’s cautious gestures. While some European states have offered apologies or returned cultural items, they have avoided systemic measures or large scale compensation. This reluctance reveals a gap between moral responsibility and political will.

Reading this article left me with reflections. I was moved by the power of African unity, how a shared voice transforms what was once dismissed into an undeniable moral claim. I resonated deeply with the idea that reparations must address dignity as much as economics, without recognition, no payment can truly repair historical wounds. At the same time, I felt frustration at Europe’s reluctance to engage beyond symbolic acts. Justice requires honesty and without responsibility, reconciliation remains incomplete. For me, Vertecchi’s work is both inspiring and unsettling, it affirms Africa’s courage to demand justice but also exposes how far the world still has to go.

Finally, Vertecchi’s articl reminds us that reparations are not only about correcting the past but also about building a more just future. By elevating reparations on the AU’s agenda, expanding their meaning and revealing Europe’s hesitations, he reframes the conversation as one of dignity, unity and responsibility. For me, this vision hilights that true justice lies not just in repayment, but in restoring humanity and forging a future unburdened by denial.