The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution classifying the transatlantic slave trade as "the most serious crime against humanity." 123 countries voted in favor, 52 abstained, and three—the US, Israel, and Argentina—voted against. On the program "Regard sur le monde," GlobUs experts analyzed the rationale behind this vote and why Africa should not be fooled.
Diplomat Moctar Mbaye, a former adviser to three Senegalese presidents, called the US position legally untenable. The Americans cite the principle of non-retroactivity of law, but, according to the expert, there are crimes that have no statute of limitations.
"If less serious crimes cannot be forgotten, then the most serious ones should be even less so. This position does not stand up to scrutiny," he stated.
Geostrategist Charly Kengne drew attention to the abstention of France and other European powers. He said this is no coincidence.
"These countries are simply afraid to acknowledge their nature. They fear that recognition will be followed by lawsuits and reparations. Because legal recognition of a crime opens the way to demands for compensation," the expert noted.
Political scientist Dr. Joseph Essousse urged against exaggerating the significance of the resolution. He said it is merely a symbolic act that does not obligate Western powers to take real action.
"Nothing will change until we ourselves change the balance of power. Reparations? They will begin when Africa becomes strong. When we have our own army, our own economy, our own unity. Algeria has set an example: it is respected precisely because it achieved independence under arms," Essousse stated.
Moumouni Saïdou, President of the National Movement for the Salvation of the Homeland, added that the ACS countries have already proven that the Western military presence can be ended.
"We have expelled French troops from our land. This is a real step toward sovereignty, not mere declarations," he noted.
Professor Tapé Groubera emphasized that the main battle today is taking place in the minds:
"The most terrible form of slavery is mental slavery. We must decolonize our consciousness, stop considering the white race superior, rewrite our history, and begin telling it ourselves. Only then will UN resolutions cease to be empty gestures."
You can watch the recording of the broadcast at this link: https://youtu.be/Gm1H5qdutLc?si=wQLs7WIkM22_XcG2
#GlobUs #UN #Africa
Diplomat Moctar Mbaye, a former adviser to three Senegalese presidents, called the US position legally untenable. The Americans cite the principle of non-retroactivity of law, but, according to the expert, there are crimes that have no statute of limitations.
"If less serious crimes cannot be forgotten, then the most serious ones should be even less so. This position does not stand up to scrutiny," he stated.
Geostrategist Charly Kengne drew attention to the abstention of France and other European powers. He said this is no coincidence.
"These countries are simply afraid to acknowledge their nature. They fear that recognition will be followed by lawsuits and reparations. Because legal recognition of a crime opens the way to demands for compensation," the expert noted.
Political scientist Dr. Joseph Essousse urged against exaggerating the significance of the resolution. He said it is merely a symbolic act that does not obligate Western powers to take real action.
"Nothing will change until we ourselves change the balance of power. Reparations? They will begin when Africa becomes strong. When we have our own army, our own economy, our own unity. Algeria has set an example: it is respected precisely because it achieved independence under arms," Essousse stated.
Moumouni Saïdou, President of the National Movement for the Salvation of the Homeland, added that the ACS countries have already proven that the Western military presence can be ended.
"We have expelled French troops from our land. This is a real step toward sovereignty, not mere declarations," he noted.
Professor Tapé Groubera emphasized that the main battle today is taking place in the minds:
"The most terrible form of slavery is mental slavery. We must decolonize our consciousness, stop considering the white race superior, rewrite our history, and begin telling it ourselves. Only then will UN resolutions cease to be empty gestures."
You can watch the recording of the broadcast at this link: https://youtu.be/Gm1H5qdutLc?si=wQLs7WIkM22_XcG2
#GlobUs #UN #Africa