Algiers, Algeria – Algeria is preparing to host a major international conference focused on the crimes of colonialism in Africa. The event, scheduled for next Sunday and Monday, underscores Algeria’s commitment to supporting shared African causes and fostering a united front on issues of historical justice.
The conference is a direct result of a decision made at the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit held last February. This decision endorsed the initiative presented by the President of Algeria, celebrating the African Union’s theme for 2025: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”
Algeria’s initiative stems from its own history of colonial resistance and the sacrifices made by its people. This experience positions Algeria as a natural advocate for African memory and the rights of people who have faced occupation, slavery, and racial segregation.
Under the leadership of its President, Algeria aims to broaden the discussion within the continent regarding the classification of colonialism as a crime against humanity, aligning with the directives and resolutions issued by the African Union.
The conference is expected to bring together ministers, legal experts, historians, academics, and specialists from Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions worldwide. The primary objective is to formulate a common vision regarding historical justice, reparations, the recovery of cultural property, and the protection of the collective memory of Africans.
Discussions will encompass the human, cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions of colonial crimes, highlighting intergenerational trauma, the plundering of African heritage, and the unjust economic impacts of colonial regimes. The conference will also address the environmental consequences of nuclear testing conducted in some African nations.
Furthermore, the conference will explore potential legal avenues to strengthen the criminalization of colonialism and establish a permanent African mechanism for reparations and the restoration of rights. Algeria is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping these discussions.
