President Mahama Pushes UN to Declare Slave Trade ‘Gravest Crime’, Framing Vote as Moral Choice

President John Dramani Mahama has formally advanced a draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly seeking to declare the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity, in a move that signals a renewed push for global recognition and accountability.

Speaking on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the UN General Assembly to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, President Mahama presented the proposal on behalf of the African Group.

He said the resolution follows months of consultations with countries, scholars, and legal experts aimed at building consensus around what he described as a historically grounded and morally necessary declaration.

The move comes at a time when global discussions on historical injustice and reparative justice are gaining renewed attention.

Ghana argues that the proposal goes beyond remembrance, linking it directly to healing and justice for millions of Africans who were enslaved over several centuries. According to the President, formally recognising the scale and nature of the transatlantic slave trade would help prevent historical erasure.

The resolution also places pressure on member states to take a clear position.

By stressing that neutrality in the face of injustice is unacceptable, Ghana is framing the expected vote as a defining moment for the international community—one that reflects present-day global values, not just historical acknowledgment.

Diplomatic observers say the approach could expose divisions within the Assembly, particularly among countries with historical links to the transatlantic slave trade.

The draft builds on existing UN efforts, including the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, observed annually on March 25. However, Ghana’s proposal seeks to move the conversation beyond commemoration to formal legal and moral recognition.

If adopted, the resolution could influence future discussions on reparations, historical accountability, and how crimes against humanity are defined under international law.