Accra: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for his instrumental leadership in passing a landmark UN resolution that officially declares the transatlantic slave trade and racialised slavery as the 'gravest crime against humanity.' President Nandi-Ndaitwah gave the commendation in her address in Accra at the opening of the High-Level Consultative Conference on the Next Steps to the landmark United Resolution A/RES/80/250.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated Namibia's commitment to restorative justice, noting that the country's pursuit of justice and reconciliation regarding the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama communities between 1904 and 1908 forms part of the broader African journey towards historical recognition, accountability, and redress. She emphasized that division among African people often led to significant setbacks and called for unity and solidarity across the continent.
'Our responsibility is not to revisit all divisions, but to strengthen our solidarity. We need to be united,' she stated, urging for collective action towards a common purpose. She expressed Namibia's willingness to extend support to the African diaspora, acknowledging the historical impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on millions of Africans.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the African Union's 2004 call for full participation of the African diaspora in its activities, recognizing it as the sixth region alongside North, South, East, West, and Central Africa. She spoke on the lasting impact of slavery and colonialism, emphasizing the need for mental emancipation and the restoration of African identity and confidence.
Quoting the late Bob Marley, she reminded the audience of the importance of emancipating from mental slavery, and stressed the need for Africans to reclaim their history and reject narratives that undermine their heritage. Her address underscored the importance of reparative justice not as an act of bitterness, but as a pursuit of truth, dignity, and honest historical confrontation.
In conclusion, President Nandi-Ndaitwah commended President Mahama, the Government and the People of Ghana, and all contributors to the adoption of the landmark resolution, expressing belief in the collective ability to continue the work initiated by previous generations towards justice and reconciliation.