At Africa Day celebration in Yaounde: Minister Mbayu re-echoes call for reparative justice for continent.

Besides colonialism, he said the continent also suffered slavery, apartheid and other forms of indignity and human subjugation. The member of government made the remark during the official celebration of the 2025 edition of Africa Day on Monday, May 26. 

The high-level event at the esplanade of the Ministry of External Relations in Yaounde, was attended by some heads of diplomatic missions of African countries accredited to Cameroon.  

In his keynote address, Minister Mbayu highlighted the incredible progress, diversity and potentials that Africa embodies and the need to promote a more accurate understanding of the continent.

With Africa taking its destiny into its own hands through various articulations, he stressed the need for the continent to be served reparative justice. 

“Permit me at this juncture to highlight one of the topical issues raised in this year’s theme, which is the necessity for reparative justice. It recognises the long lasting of African society and its diaspora of slavery, colonialism and institutional racism,” he said. 

Minister Mbayu then stressed that emphasis on reparation goes beyond monetary compensation, but includes a more comprehensive pursuit of acknowledgement, restitution and restoration of dignity. 

“We can therefore agree that no amount of financial reparation will ever compensate for the damages caused by colonialism, slavery, apartheid and other forms of indignity and human subjugation,” he stated. 

Acknowledging that the continent’s past can’t be changed, he propounded that its future can be charted through with this year’s celebration presenting an opportunity to reflect and take actions on the continent’s journey and the responsibilities confronting global actors committed to African progress. 

Zooms on this year’s theme

According to the Cameroonian diplomat, Africa Day celebrates not only the continent's rich cultural heritage and resilience, but also efforts made towards peace, development and cooperation for African people and people of African descent. 

He insisted that it has become a day of celebration all over the world as commemorative events have expanded globally, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, raising awareness and showcasing the beauty and diversity of the continent.  

This year’s celebration of the Africa Day was placed under the theme: “Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations”. 

It was chosen by the Heads of State and governments of the African Union during the 38th Ordinary Congress held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from February 17 to 18, 2025.

Going by the minister, the theme is a reminder of the difficult past and the efforts made by the founding fathers of the African Union to ensure that the errors and injustices of the past are corrected, myth, misconceptions and stereotypes often associated with the celebration of the Africa Day, restored. 

Enter Egyptian Ambassador

On her part, the Egyptian Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E Dalia Fayez Farag Ghubrial, speaking in the capacity as President of the Circle of African Diplomats accredited to Cameroon, began by citing an African proverb that says; “until lions have their own historians, hunting stories can only sing the glory of the hunter”. 

According to her, this year’s Africa Day theme gives lions the chance to start writing their history and singing their glory.

“For centuries, colonialist countries have profited gravely from Africa's natural and human resources. They have taken families and peoples away from their tribes and natural environments, creating borders and taking advantage of the slavery laws that existed at the time,” she said. 

With significant colonial impact on the African people, she clamoured for Africa to have justice and reparations for the dark period of its history.

“The request for reparation is nothing new,” the Egyptian diplomat noted, before pointing out that it is essential for African countries to define their own roadmap and action plan to pursue the objective collectively and strategically.

“Justice for Africa must be led by Africa. Reparation has become a priority widely shared by the many members of the African Union and other countries around the world who share the same suffering,” Ambassador Dalia Fayez added.

The ceremony concluded with a visit of officials and guests to the stands of African countries displaying cultural diversity, culinary and business potentials. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3458 of Wednesday May 28, 2025