In a bold step toward reckoning with centuries of exploitation, Algeria is set to host a groundbreaking international conference aimed at confronting the enduring scars of colonialism across Africa. The event, titled the International Conference on the Crimes of Colonialism in Africa, will gather ministers, jurists, historians, academics, and activists from the continent, the Caribbean, and beyond for two days of intense dialogue—from November 30 to December 1, 2025—in the heart of Algiers.
A Mandate from the African Union
This high-profile summit is no isolated initiative; it’s firmly rooted in the African Union’s (AU) Assembly Decision 903(XXXVIII), adopted during the February 2025 summit in Addis Ababa. The decision endorsed an offer from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to convene the gathering, aligning directly with the AU’s 2025 Theme of the Year: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.” Under Tebboune’s leadership, Algeria—itself a nation that endured 132 years of brutal French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962—is spearheading efforts to criminalize colonialism, slavery, racial segregation, and apartheid as crimes against humanity. As the Algerian Embassy in Kampala stated, this is about “strengthening collective reflection and action” to defend the “dignity, memory, and rights of African peoples.”
The conference arrives at a pivotal moment, as African leaders intensify calls for reparative justice. Kenyan President William Ruto, speaking at an earlier AU forum, emphasized that true reparations must “dismantle the structures of inequality, lift unsustainable debt burdens, and address chronic underdevelopment imposed by centuries of exploitation.” With former colonial powers facing growing global scrutiny—from France’s nuclear testing in Algeria to Belgium’s plunder in the Congo—this Algiers meeting could galvanize a unified continental front.
Agenda: Unpacking the Multi-Faceted Legacy of Colonialism
Delegates will delve into the human, cultural, economic, environmental, and legal dimensions of colonial crimes. Key discussion points include: Exploring the psychological and social wounds passed down through generations, from forced displacements to systemic racism.
Addressing the looting of artifacts—like Benin’s bronzes or Ethiopia’s Aksum obelisk—and pushing for their return to African soil. Examining how colonial-era resource extraction created inequitable global trade models that persist today, fueling debt traps and poverty.
Highlighting long-term harms, such as desertification from overfarming in British Kenya or radiation from French atomic tests in the Algerian Sahara.
Crafting mechanisms to prosecute colonial legacies under international law and establish a permanent AU framework for reparations.
The Algiers Declaration: A Blueprint for the Future
At the conference’s close, attendees are expected to adopt the Algiers Declaration—a landmark document that will codify colonial crimes, detail their ongoing impacts, and outline a comprehensive African strategy for reparations and restitution. This declaration won’t fade into obscurity; it will be forwarded to the AU Summit in February 2026 for endorsement, potentially becoming a binding continental reference.
Algeria’s role as host underscores its anti-colonial pedigree. The nation’s 1954–1962 War of Independence, led by the National Liberation Front (FLN), claimed over a million lives and inspired liberation movements from Angola to Zimbabwe. Today, Algiers aims to “reinforce Africa’s architecture for historical justice,” fostering a shared identity “founded on dignity and the values of justice.”
While the conference promises momentum, skeptics warn of hurdles: Will Western nations, many still grappling with domestic reckonings like the UK’s slavery compensation debates, engage constructively? Early indications suggest cautious optimism, with invitations extended to international partners. As one analyst put it, this isn’t just about money—it’s about “lifting the veil on history to build equitable futures.”
