Ethiopian News Agency (ENA)                   February 16, 2025

   38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) kicked off in Addis Ababa.

   Speaking at the opening of the assembly, the UN chief said that the world must never forget that Africa is the victim of two colossal and compounded injustices. The profound impact of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.

   He said the roots stretch back centuries, and the bitter fruit continues to affect Africans and people of African descent to this day. 

   «It is high time for reparatory justice frameworks to be put in place,» UN the Secretary-General underlined. 

   Decolonization alone in itself was not a panacea,  Guterres  said  noting that political independence did not free countries from structures based on exploitation and decades of economic, social and institutional under investments, hence, he stressed that it is high time for reparatory justice frameworks to be put in place.

   The UN chief recalled that Africa was under colonial domination when today’s multilateral system was created, and that injustice endures.

   He said «Look no further than the United Nations Security Council. There is no excuse that Africa still lacks permanent representation in the 21st century.»

   Guterres reaffirmed UN’s commitment to working with the African Union and member states to ensure that Africa’s rightful representation and justice are realized.

   Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of reforming the international financial system, describing it as outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair.

   «We will keep pressing together for an international financial architecture that is no longer outdated, dysfunctional and unfair.»

    Correcting ages old injustices is essential to address here and now challenges he said, adding the good news is that we have many of the solutions we need.

   Last year, you helped drive that effort at United Nations with the pact for the future, and I thank Africa for its support that was vital to approve the pact. «Our task now is to make those commitments a reality.»