Egypt Backs UN Resolution Confronting the Crimes of the African Slave Trade

2026-03-26 - 14:20

In a historic vote, the United Nations General Assembly has designated the transatlantic slave trade, and the racialized chattel enslavement of Africans, as “the gravest crime against humanity.” Egypt joined 122 other nations in voting in favor of the resolution, which passed with 123 votes in favor, only three against (the United States, Israel, and Argentina), and 52 abstentions, including several European Union members and the United Kingdom. The resolution, adopted to sustained applause at the UN headquarters in New York, while not legally binding, marks a significant step toward acknowledging one of history’s gravest injustices. It calls on nations historically involved in the trade to pursue restorative justice, including formal apologies, the return of looted artifacts, and concrete measures to address the enduring legacy of racial discrimination and neo-colonialism that continues to affect people of African descent worldwide. Ghanaian President John Mahama, a leading voice in the African Union’s push for reparations, addressed the Assembly directly: “Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice. The adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting.” UN Secretary-General... This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read.