DRC welcomes UN resolution recognizing transatlantic slave trade as “most serious crime

March 29, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage has welcomed a United Nations General Assembly resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade and slavery of Africans as the most serious crimes against humanity. Adopted during the 80th UN General Assembly session, the resolution highlights the scale, systemic nature, and long-term consequences of slavery, stating that its legacy continues to fuel structural inequalities in the modern world. According to the Congolese Ministry, the resolution represents an important step toward international recognition of historical injustices and strengthens calls for remembrance, justice, and reparations. The text was adopted on March 25 with 123 votes in favor, 3 against (United States, Israel, and Argentina), and 52 abstentions, including several European countries. It was sponsored by Ghana and supported by the African Union as part of broader continental advocacy for reparative justice related to the transatlantic slave trade. Ghanaian President John Mahama, speaking after the vote, described the resolution as “historic,” emphasizing the need for global acknowledgment of the estimated 13 million Africans forcibly displaced over centuries. The resolution also encourages the restitution of cultural property to countries of origin, reinforcing ongoing international debates about the return of artifacts taken during colonial and slavery-era injustices. In line with this agenda, the DRC Ministry highlighted its ongoing efforts to preserve historical memory, including a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2025 for the creation of a national memorial dedicated to Ota Benga, a Congolese man who was taken to the United States in the early 20th century and displayed at the Bronx Zoo in 1906. Authorities in Kinshasa say the project reflects a broader commitment to historical recognition, cultural restoration, and the promotion of African heritage as part of international justice and memory initiatives.