Mahama Secures Historic UN Victory on Slave Trade Reparations as 123 Nations Rally Behind Ghana
123 countries back Ghana’s call for justice over transatlantic slave trade; US, Israel, Argentina oppose, 52 abstain
- Ghana secures major diplomatic win at the UN
- Motion calls for global dialogue and concrete reparatory actions
- 123 member states vote in favour
Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a motion on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.
The resolution, spearheaded by Ghana and presented on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, calls for renewed global commitment to reparative justice for African nations and descendants of enslaved people.
It urges member states to engage in structured dialogue and implement concrete measures to acknowledge and address the enduring social, economic, and cultural consequences of slavery.
Following extensive deliberations, the motion secured strong backing, with 123 countries voting in favour. However, three nations—the United States, Argentina, and Israel—voted against it, while 52 others abstained.
The United States described the African Union-backed reparatory justice resolution as “highly problematic.” While acknowledging the historical injustices of slavery, the US delegation expressed reservations about the lack of clarity regarding the beneficiaries of such reparations.
“While we recognize the wrongs of the past, we are unclear on who the beneficiaries of reparatory justice would be, and therefore cannot support the resolution at this time,” the US representative stated during the plenary.
The adoption of the motion is being widely hailed as a historic milestone in the global push to confront the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. It signals growing international momentum toward justice, remembrance, and meaningful reparative action.
