Algiers – An international conference on the crimes of colonialism in Africa has concluded with the issuance of a series of recommendations under the umbrella of the “Algeria Declaration.” This declaration aims to achieve justice and honor the memory of the victims of colonialism.
The Algeria Declaration, the culmination of a two-day conference held in Algiers, calls upon former colonial powers to fully acknowledge their historical responsibilities. This includes a public and unequivocal admission of the injustices committed during the colonial era.
The declaration also recommends the establishment of a digital African archive, revisions to educational curricula, the construction of memorials and museums, and the designation of commemorative days to remember the victims of colonialism.
Crucially, the “Algeria Declaration” advocates for the creation of national truth and reconciliation commissions within African Union member states. It also urges the establishment and strengthening of legal mechanisms at the national, regional, continental, and international levels to support the criminalization of colonialism under international law. This would involve comprehensive archiving, ensuring access to and restitution of archives, and guaranteeing legal and moral accountability for colonial crimes and their lasting consequences.
The declaration further calls on African Union member states, regional economic communities, regional mechanisms, and academic institutions to develop model laws, draft agreement proposals, and produce legal analyses that promote the recognition, criminalization, and prosecution of colonial crimes.
The “Algeria Declaration” encourages the creation of an “African Commission for Memory and Historical Truth,” tasked with harmonizing historical perspectives, overseeing the collection of archives, coordinating between African research centers, and developing analyses and recommendations for the continent.
The document also emphasizes the need to expand continental and national commemoration initiatives, including museums, monuments, memorial sites, commemorative days, and educational reforms. It stresses the importance of conducting a continental assessment of the environmental and climatic impact of colonialism and addressing the rehabilitation needs of lands affected by nuclear, chemical, and industrial testing.
Finally, the “Algeria Declaration” advocates for the establishment of an African platform for environmental justice, responsible for identifying affected areas, assessing damages, supporting concerned countries, and formulating continental recommendations for rehabilitation.
