Designating “Justice for Africans and people of African Decent through reparations” as the African Union's Theme of the Year presents a timely and strategic opportunity to consolidate and advance the momentum generated by past initiatives and ongoing efforts. This initiative will foster deeper collaboration with AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and key AU Organs—including ECOSOCC, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Union Commission on International Law, the Pan-African Parliament, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption. The Roadmap on the implementation of the theme of the year for 2025 also provides guidance on the involvement of all stakeholders including Member States, AU organs and RECs. Moreover, it will enhance strategic partnerships with the United Nations system and other relevant stakeholders.

International legal frameworks have recognised these prejudices as crimes against humanity and efforts to address them have often been stalled by a lack of political will, moral courage, and, in many cases, outright resistance to the conversation. Equally, it has been observed that some countries have offered permanent loans, while others have been observed to return ownership for cultural objects such as between France and Benin in 2021.These differences reflect varying views and legal barriers to restitution which Africa needs to strategically address for both justice and progressive state building.

The theme for the High-Level Dialogue calls for a transformative approach to justice, one that centres African agency, promotes equity, and strengthens institutions. It acknowledges that restorative justice must extend beyond symbolic gestures or surfacelevel reconciliation efforts that fail to address the need for tangible redress. Instead, it should be grounded in strong governance structures capable of implementing restorative policies and delivering meaningful, lasting change.

This perspective is also supported by Article 3 (d) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which seeks to promote and defend common African positions on issues of importance to the continent and its people with reparations.

This viewpoint of restorative justice further draws upon the African Union's emphasis on transitional justice and reconciliation, integrating it into broader efforts of state-building across the continent.11 It involves strengthening institutions capable of addressing past injustices, related to slavery, colonialism, or apartheid, and ensuring that mechanisms for reparations, equity, and accountability are firmly in place.12 Furthermore, the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) provides a critical framework for guiding this process, offering member states the tools to institutionalise justice in ways that are contextually grounded and forward-looking. Central to this vision is the recognition that restorative justice is not the sole responsibility of Member States as civil society engagement, and international solidarity all play essential roles in shaping outcomes, holding leaders accountable, and keeping the pressure for justice and equity.

To create space for these discussions, the 13th High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights, Democracy, Governance will be held in collaboration with the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana. The President of the Republic, H.E John D. Mahama shall is the official host of the HLD.

The overarching goal of the 13th High-Level Dialogue is to assess, identify, and explore normative and structural enablers that can advance democratic governance across Africa

• a. High Level Pannel – Justice, Rights, Reparations and State building: This session brings together former Heads of State in a moderated discussion on the theme of the year and more specifically the role of African Diaspora for Peace and Governance.
• b. Restorative Justice and State building: Colonial Legacies to Governance Futures: This topic explores the role of restorative justice in African state-building efforts postcolonialism, with a focus on equity and governance. It will integrate the AU’s emphasis on reconciliation and the importance of institutions capable of implementing these policies.
• c. Diaspora and CSOs in promoting Democracy, Reparations and State building: This theme will examine the interplay between democracy, civil society, and the process of reparations. It will explore the shared responsibility of governments, civil society organizations, and the international community.
• d. AFRICA TALKS: This session is designed as an intergenerational TV style conversation to allow the exchange of experiences and showcase contributions to democratic values and socioeconomic development by a selected individual that have played a significant role and contributed to communities, nations and the continent.

The specific objectives of the High-Level Dialogue are:

• a. To explore the role of restorative justice in African state-building post colonialism, emphasizing the development of institutions capable of effectively implementing restorative justice policies
• b. To explore how African governments can build capacities, strong governance frameworks to address injustices and focus on state building.
• c. To examine the shared responsibility of governments, civil society, and the international community in reparations, and the role of civil society in holding governments accountable for restorative justice.

The High-Level Dialogue (HLD) is a flagship initiative of the African Union. The HLD convened under the auspices of the African Governance Architecture and African Peace and Security Architecture (AGA-APSA) Platform to foster inclusive dialogue among diverse stakeholders. It serves as a forum for reflection on key thematic issues, providing an annual space for policy discussions on democratic governance, human rights, peace and security, and other pressing matters, engaging actors both within and outside the African Union (AU).

This year, the African Union —will host the 13th edition of the HLD. As a vital interface between the Union, its organs, RECs and its stakeholders, the HLD offers a frank, open, and inclusive platform for policymakers, the private sector, think tanks, academia, and practitioners to interrogate the policy and practical imperatives that form the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.

The 2025 Dialogue will place particular emphasis on concrete actions and policy recommendations related to democratic governance. These recommendations aim to inform and guide state and non-state interventions at national, regional, and continental levels. In line with this approach, the HLD will be preceded by Youth and Gender PreForums. Outcomes from these forums will be systematically integrated into the main Dialogue and contribute to its final resolutions.

The following outputs will be derived from the High-Level Dialogue:

• a. An outcome statement of the conversations
• b. Proceedings report
• c. Press Releases, topical social media clips, and sound bites
• d. Excerpts will be posted for Social Media Engagement (X and Facebook).

The convening will employ a combination of methodologies to facilitate deliberation. Discussions will be conducted through a range of interactive strategies, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, in-depth conversations with high-profile individuals and experts, and Africa Talks. The panel discussions will be designed to ensure intergenerational exchange, as well as a blend of policy and practitioner perspectives, while also showcasing practical initiatives. The High-Level Dialogue will further feature interviews, robust social media engagement, informative session threads and sound bites, along with other innovative approaches to stimulate online debate. These efforts are also intended to engage a wider audience in the deliberations and to disseminate the outcomes.

The High-Level Dialogue will be convened on 29-30 July 2025 in Accra Ghana.

The key stakeholders that will be part of the High-Level Dialogue include the following:

• • Sitting and Former Heads of State and Government of AU Members that will share experiences and knowledge towards building the capacities of RECs and RMS, AU organs and institutions
• • Regional Economic Communities and RMs
• • Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including Youth networks and Women’s organizations.
• • Representatives of the Republic of Ghana as hosts of the 13th HLD
• • Representative of PRC Sub Committee on HRDG, Representative of the PSC and other Member States
• • Development partners and agencies
• • Private sector (multinationals/ local);
• • Philanthropy organisations and individuals
• • UN agencies and other International and continental financial institutions (e.g. AfDB, IMF, World Bank)
• • Media
• • Academic, think tanks and Research Institutions and the Diaspora.
• • Participants of the Youth and the Gender Consultations

On behalf of the African Union, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department (PAPS) and its Organs, RECs/RMs and institutions which are the AGA-APSA Platform, the AGA- 7 APSA Secretariat will be leading the implementation of this Dialogue with the host country – The Republic of Ghana and with the support from development partners.

The HLD will have an exhibition to showcase the work of organizations that are forced on theme of the year where the AUC and PAPS department will also showcase its resource materials and knowledge products. The documentation for the High-Level Dialogue will be shared electronically to all. All documents and news updates will be available www.au.int www.aupaps.org @AUC_PAPS @AGA_Platform. #DGTrends used for the meeting. The High-Level Dialogue will be conducted in the 2 AU Languages – English, French. Simultaneous interpretations and documentation shall be provided both languages

Amb. Salah Hammad Ag. Head of the AGA-APSA Secretariat. GCPD, PAPS, AUC Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Email: HammadS@africanunion.org

Ms. Makda M. Tessema Senior Democracy and Governance Expert AGA-APSA Secretariat GCPD, PAPS, AUC Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Email: Makdam@africanunion.org