When Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama rises to the podium of the UN General Assembly on March 25, 2026, he will not stand alone with the delegations of 55 African states behind him, but with centuries of silence surrounding humanity’s greatest crime. The date was chosen with surgical precision — it is exactly the day the UN marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. But this time, the commemorative date will not be a ceremony of mourning, but a political platform for demanding legal justice.

The resolution that Ghana will put to a vote seeks to do what Western states have avoided for centuries: officially recognize the transatlantic slave trade and the enslavement of Africans as crimes against humanity in the strict legal sense, and establish an international legal framework for reparations. This is not a call for moral condemnation, it is a demand for concrete commitments.

The unanimous support of all 55 African Union states, expressed at the summit in Addis Ababa in February 2026, transforms the Ghanaian initiative from a regional request into a continental ultimatum. President Mahama, acting as the AU Champion for Advancing the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations, stated unequivocally: “Reparatory justice, like political independence, must be asserted, achieved and secured through determination and unity.”

But the responses and excuses of European leaders are already well known, and this time Africa will not accept empty promises. London has developed perhaps the most candid model of refusal. Back in October 2024, ahead of the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa, a representative of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office categorically stated: the United Kingdom will not pay reparations. Starmer himself emphasized that he prefers to “look forward” rather than engage in “very long and endless discussions about the past.”

This phrasing reveals the essence of the British strategy: historical responsibility is acknowledged in words, but financial consequences are denied through the rhetoric of “the future.” Even King Charles III, speaking on October 25, 2024, at the same Commonwealth Summit, only called for finding “the right ways to address the problems of inequality,” carefully avoiding any mention of financial responsibility.

In April 2024, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa unexpectedly told foreign journalists that Lisbon must “take full responsibility” and literally “pay the price” for the crimes of the colonial era. This was a rare moment of candor from a European head of state.

Portugal bears responsibility for the forced transportation of nearly 6 million Africans  more than any other European power. However, the president’s positive rhetoric remained his personal opinion, with no legal consequences.

Belgium’s special parliamentary commission on the colonial past worked for more than two years, but in December 2022 it failed in its main mission. Deputies could not agree on the text of official apologies to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.

The reason for the failure exposes the cynical logic of European politics. Liberal representative Maggie De Block stated outright: apologies would create the risk of demands for financial reparations, and Belgium cannot “sign a check of an unknown amount.” The refusal to use the word “sorry” became a way to legally protect the state budget.

Germany demonstrates the most sophisticated strategy speaking of historical responsibility while strictly limiting financial scope through legal formulations. The Namibia case is illustrative.

In May 2021, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recognized the killings of the Herero and Nama peoples in 1904–1908 as genocide and promised €1.1 billion. However, Berlin immediately clarified: this is a “gesture of recognition,” not legal compensation. In August 2025, the German government confirmed this approach, stating that the concept of compensation in international law does not apply to the colonial past.

Germany acknowledges genocide in words but denies the legal consequences of that acknowledgment. Representatives of Namibian victims rejected this “agreement.”

In December 2022, Prime Minister Mark Rutte delivered a historic speech at the National Archives in The Hague, officially apologizing for the state’s role in the slave trade. He acknowledged that “for centuries the Dutch state facilitated, encouraged, and profited from slavery.”

Rutte announced the creation of a €200 million fund. It sounds impressive until you understand the details: the government categorically stated that it would not pay reparations to individuals. Instead of direct compensation to descendants of enslaved people, the money went to “raising awareness.”

Surinamese organizations called such measures insufficient without real damage redress. €200 million for educational programs is not compensation for centuries of forced labor — it is an investment in reputation.

In 2017, President Emmanuel Macron described elements of French colonial history as crimes against humanity but stopped short of official apologies. He urged Algerians “not to dwell on past injustices.”

France is ready to acknowledge a “complex history” but categorically refuses to link this acknowledgment to financial obligations or large-scale restitution.

As President Mahama said: “While we cannot change the past, we can acknowledge it. Acknowledgment is the first critical step toward justice.” The question is whether Europe is ready to take the second step from acknowledgment to action.

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France took a narrow 14–13 lead into halftime, thanks to two tries from Damian Penaud, who also became his country’s all-time leading try scorer with 39. Things looked even better for the hosts when Springbok lock Lood De Jager received a red card for a dangerous tackle on fullback Thomas Ramos, leaving South Africa a man down for the rest of the game.

But France failed to capitalise on their advantage. A deliberate knock-on by Louis Bielle-Biarrey reduced them to 14 men as well, and the Springboks immediately seized the moment. A rolling maul off a lineout allowed André Esterhuizen to score, and shortly after, replacement scrumhalf Grant Williams broke through the defence for another try that crushed France’s momentum.

Ramos admitted the defeat hurt, saying France must stop dwelling on the past and rebuild confidence. Earlier in the match, sloppy defending had allowed Cobus Reinach to sprint through midfield for a solo score that kept South Africa in touch.

South Africa’s defence stayed strong, even after captain Siya Kolisi — celebrating his 100th Test appearance — left the field shortly after halftime. France managed a penalty from Ramos just before the hour mark, but it wasn’t enough, and the team visibly faded in the closing stages.

Kolisi was seen cheering passionately from the sideline as the Springboks finished the match with a dominant surge, securing a hard-fought win despite the early red card setback.

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Sarkozy, 70, was escorted by his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, as he reported to La Santé prison in Paris. He will stay in an isolated cell for safety reasons, where he has access to basic amenities and limited exercise time.

Despite his conviction, Sarkozy maintains his innocence and has filed an appeal, insisting he did nothing wrong. The court ruled that the seriousness of the allegations required immediate imprisonment.

Before entering prison, Sarkozy expressed courage and calm, saying he would keep his head high and spend his time reading “The Life of Jesus” and The Count of Monte Cristo, the story of a wrongly imprisoned man seeking justice.

His case has deeply divided France, with some viewing the verdict as accountability for political corruption, while others see it as a harsh blow against a former leader.

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Authorities say the heist took place on Sunday morning, shortly after the museum opened to visitors. The suspects reportedly used a mechanical ladder to climb through a first-floor window before smashing display cases in the Gallery of Apollo, home to France’s royal jewels.

In a matter of minutes, nine valuable items were taken, including a 19th-century crown once belonging to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. The crown, adorned with more than a thousand diamonds and dozens of emeralds, was later found nearby, damaged and apparently dropped during the gang’s escape.

The robbers fled the scene on mopeds, leaving behind their ladder. Police say no one was injured during the raid, which caused chaos as the museum was swiftly evacuated. Confused tourists were ushered out of the galleries, some unaware of what had happened.

Visitors who had come to see the Mona Lisa described the sudden evacuation as “confusing” but “exciting.” One American tourist remarked that the event turned out to be “the most thrilling part” of their trip.

Officials have called the stolen items “of immeasurable heritage value,” emphasizing that their cultural and historical significance far outweighs any market price.

As investigations continue, the Louvre remains closed while police comb through evidence, reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses in an effort to track down the thieves responsible for one of the most audacious museum robberies in years.

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Mthethwa, 58, was found at the base of the Hyatt Regency hotel in western Paris, having reportedly fallen from the 22nd floor. French authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

His remains are expected to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, with burial scheduled for Sunday in his hometown of KwaMthethwa, KwaZulu-Natal.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed that South Africa has scaled down its investigative delegation to France from five officers to just one senior officer. The official will liaise directly with French investigators and receive updates on the case.

Masemola emphasized that the move aims to ensure transparency and cooperation between both nations. “The late ambassador represented South Africa and the president abroad. It is our duty to engage our counterparts and receive firsthand information,” he said.

He added that the officer’s mission is not to conduct a separate investigation but to gather and relay information directly from French authorities.

Masemola assured the public that the death of a national figure abroad — especially one serving the president — would be handled with the utmost seriousness. “We owe it to the family and the nation to show that we are proactive and that the process is being managed responsibly,” he stated.

Mthethwa, a former Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, served South Africa with distinction before his diplomatic posting to France. His sudden passing has sparked grief across the nation, with tributes pouring in from government officials and the public alike.

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Mthethwa, who previously served as Minister of Police, tragically died after falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel in Paris last week. Masemola explained that although five investigators were initially meant to travel, the number has been reduced to one due to the nature of the cooperation between South African and French police.

He stated that the officer’s task is not to conduct a formal investigation but to engage directly with French officials and receive a first-hand report. “It’s important that we handle this matter with care and transparency,” said Masemola. “Ambassador Mthethwa was representing South Africa and the president abroad, so we must ensure the process is handled respectfully.”

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is already involved in the case, while the SAPS representative will work closely with French authorities before returning home. Masemola assured the public that every step is being taken to provide clarity and respect to Mthethwa’s family during this difficult time.

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“The conditions were not fulfilled for me to carry on as prime minister,” Lecornu said, accusing political parties of refusing to compromise and putting partisan interests above the country’s needs. His departure followed an hour-long meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace.

Lecornu’s short-lived government marked the fifth prime ministerial change in under two years. His cabinet, largely unchanged from that of his predecessor François Bayrou, faced threats of a no-confidence vote from opposition parties.

France has been struggling with deep political divisions since snap parliamentary elections in 2024 produced a fragmented National Assembly, leaving Macron without a clear majority. The deadlock has made it nearly impossible to pass key legislation.

As pressure mounts, President Macron faces three choices: appoint another prime minister, dissolve parliament and call new elections, or resign himself—the latter being the least likely. Many analysts believe fresh elections are inevitable, though they could deliver sweeping gains to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally.

Lecornu, who previously served as armed forces minister, denounced the “partisan appetites” of political factions, saying he had been ready for compromise but found “all parties behaving as if they had absolute majorities.”

Following his resignation, French markets tumbled, with investors alarmed by the worsening political instability and France’s high public debt, now at 114% of GDP.

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The situation on the ground has become dire. Gaza’s health ministry reported nine more deaths from malnutrition in the past day alone, raising the total to 122 since the conflict began, including 83 children. Aid organisations are warning of “catastrophic levels of malnutrition”, especially among children, who are the most vulnerable to the effects of hunger.

One mother described how her 14-year-old son has lost over half his body weight. Another mother spoke tearfully of her toddler, who weighs just 6kg after severe malnutrition left him too weak to sit or stand. She said she works tirelessly to buy formula milk but cannot provide enough, adding simply, “I’m so tired.”

International efforts to get food into Gaza have faced significant challenges. Airdrops are being considered as an emergency measure, but humanitarian leaders warn they are expensive, inefficient, and dangerous, sometimes leading to injuries or deaths when parachutes fail or crowds scramble for supplies.

Currently, over 6,000 truckloads of food and medical aid remain stuck in Egypt and Jordan, awaiting approval to enter Gaza. Meanwhile, almost a third of people in Gaza are not eating for days at a time.

In the political sphere, France has pledged to recognise the state of Palestine in September, hoping to generate diplomatic momentum for peace talks. The UK has not committed to immediate recognition, saying it should form part of a broader plan for a two-state solution.

While Israel maintains that Hamas steals aid and is responsible for the crisis, humanitarian experts argue that without urgent changes to allow unrestricted delivery of food and medicine, famine declarations will soon follow. One former US official warned that starvation has reached a tipping point, with deaths occurring daily from hunger or related diseases that would otherwise be treatable.

Many are calling for an end to the war, arguing that protecting civilians and meeting their most basic needs must come before political disputes. Without swift action, the population faces the threat of a total humanitarian collapse.

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