Algeria has reaffirmed the need for historical justice for Africa, demanding official recognition of colonial-era crimes, the criminalization of colonialism under international law, and fair compensation for looted assets.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, inaugurated the international conference on “Criminalizing Colonialism in Africa: Towards Correcting Historical Grievances,” held in Algiers. The event brought together representatives from the African Union, experts, and historians. Attaf conveyed the greetings of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who initiated the conference during the recent African Union summit.
Attaf stated the conference aims to secure rights, address issues directly, and hold the world accountable. He emphasized Africa’s conviction that addressing the remnants of colonialism is essential for progress towards a future of dignity, justice, and equity.
“By launching this project of historical justice, Africa affirms that its struggle continues as long as there are attempts to obscure history, distort facts, and as long as colonial crimes have not received explicit and responsible recognition,” Attaf said. He further stressed the need to recognize colonialism for what it is, a reprehensible crime under international law, not subject to statute of limitations, overlooking, or forgetting.
Attaf described colonialism as a major setback to humanity’s progress, hindering the development of colonized nations and preventing them from exercising full sovereignty. He refuted the notion of colonialism as a civilizing mission, stating it was an act of theft that deprived nations of shaping their own destinies. Algeria continues to champion Africa’s pursuit of justice and reparations for the enduring impact of colonialism.
