Ptesident John Dramani Mahama has secured a major diplomatic breakthrough after the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution on reparations linked to the transatlantic slave trade, gaining backing from 123 member states.

The resolution, tabled by Ghana on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, calls for stronger global action toward reparative justice for African countries and descendants of enslaved people. It encourages nations to enter structured discussions and pursue tangible steps to address the long-term social, economic, and cultural consequences of slavery.

Following deliberations, the proposal passed with 123 votes in favour. Three countries—the United States, Argentina, and Israel opposed it, while 52 others abstained.

The United States, in explaining its position, described the African Union-backed reparatory justice initiative as “highly problematic.” While acknowledging the historical injustices of slavery, Washington said it could not endorse the resolution due to concerns over the identification of beneficiaries.

Speaking during the plenary session, the US representative stated:
“While we recognize the wrongs of the past, we are unclear on who the beneficiaries of reparatory justice would be, and therefore cannot support the resolution at this time.”

The passage of the resolution is widely seen as a significant step in the global push to address the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, reflecting growing international support for accountability, remembrance, and reparative action.