THE DIASPORA AND THE AFRICAN THINK TANK: SLAVE REPARATION ISSUES, MATTERS ARISING – A CRITIQUE, VIABILITY AND VALIDITY

Abstract

Between 1500 AD and the end of the 19th century, millions of Africans were forcibly removed from their homes and communities and sold off as slaves in the cruel Transatlantic Slave Trade. This horrendous trade robbed African societies of its vibrant youths, long-term economic growth, the entire cottage industry, and developments. Consequently, there have been many vibrant calls – across the world - for European and American slave trading nations to make significant reparations to Africans and African nations for this immense injustice. This paper would research and examine the concept of reparation, the issue of slave trade, and the role and response of African Diaspora along with the continent’s Think Tank in seeking for, and justifying transitional justice. Thus, the paper would present and examine the various arguments and theses advanced to refute reparations and wonder to what extent calls for reparation can be validated and justified. Roles of important movements such as Negritude and Pan Africanism would be critically analyzed towards this critical analysis and evaluation of the reparation campaign.