To mark the 62nd anniversary of the African Union, His Excellency Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, has called on Africans across the continent and in the diaspora, to be united in the vision for a just and dignified tomorrow.
Aligning with the 2025 AU theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”, Chief Charumbira encouraged the spirit of remembrance and determination, highlighting the importance of historical accountability and collective progress.
Reflecting on the birth of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, which now is the African Union, he paid tribute to the founders who gathered in Addis Ababa with the shared vision of a liberated and united Africa.
“With courage and clarity, they declared Africa’s right to self-determination, unity, and development. They lit the torch of Pan-Africanism,a flame that continues to guide our path,” he said. Their vision, he said, laid the foundation for the continent’s continuing pursuit of dignity and sovereignty.
Chief Charumbira emphasized that this year’s theme is not just about looking back, but about confronting the long-standing consequences of slavery, colonialism, racial discrimination, and systemic inequality that continue to impact the lives of Africans globally.
The theme, according to him, is both a call for justice and a framework for healing and transformation.
“Reparative justice is not simply about compensation, it is about truth, healing, and transformation,” he explained.
To Chief Charumbira, the pursuit of reparations involves recognizing historical wrongs, ensuring accountability, and reforming present-day systems that perpetuate inequality. Only through this process, he suggested, can genuine healing and progress take place.
He stressed that the demand for repairs is not a political tactic or a plea for sympathy, but a rightful claim underpinned by law, morality, and historical evidence. “We assert that the demand for reparations is not a plea- it is a right grounded in international law, moral conscience, and historical evidence,” he stated.
He argued that it must be acknowledged by the global community in both spirit and action.
In addition to commemorating the AU’s founding, Chief Charumbira also marked the 21st anniversary of the Pan-African Parliament, the institution he described as central to the continent’s democratic aspirations.
“We renew our pledge to be the voice of Africa’s people, a watchdog for continental accountability, and a platform for dialogue, legislation, and progressive change,” he said. He highlighted the Parliament’s role in giving voice to ordinary Africans and promoting responsive governance.
He also mentioned the importance of inclusivity, particularly the need to involve the African diaspora in Africa’s growth.
The diaspora, he said, should be regarded not as distant relatives but as vital contributors to Africa’s future. Their inclusion in development efforts, is essential to fulfilling the vision of a truly connected and empowered Pan-African world.
Chief Charumbira reaffirmed his belief that unity remains the bedrock of Africa’s progress. He called on member states to look beyond borders and divisions and to act with a common purpose.
“Let us rise, not as fragmented states, but as One Africa with One Voice,” he urged.Unity, he said, is the key to amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage and realizing its development goals.