Brussels 11.03.2026 Members of the African Union (AU) intend to file claims in international courts against former colonial powers for centuries of slavery and imperial policies. They claim that the transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity, The Telegraph reports.

EXCL: Africa could exploit international law to secure slavery reparations from Britain

African Union wants ICJ case to replicate the successful legal strategy that pushed Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government to hand over the Chagos Islands. https://t.co/nq2YElbK9O

— Craig Simpson (@Craig_Simpson_) March 10, 2026

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According to the publication, lawyers are developing plans to appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on slavery as a “historical crime.” They hope to replicate the legal strategy that forced the UK to hand over the Chagos Archipelago. London agreed to the £30 billion handover of Mauritius after judges in The Hague ruled that the UK was “obliged” to cease administering the archipelago.

Ghana's president John Mahama called on members of the African Union on Sunday to support a draft resolution aimed at classifying the transatlantic slave trade as the “'gravest crime against humanity.” pic.twitter.com/DS3jAeQod1

— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) February 17, 2026

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Advisers working with the African Union are confident that the same legal mechanism could be used to force reparations negotiations.

The African Union (AU) relies on a mix of member state contributions and international donor funding, with a budget often exceeding $600 million. While aimed at financial independence, the AU remains heavily dependent on external partners for program funding, though it covers most of its operational budget internally. Key reforms include a 0.2% import levy.

The EU is a major financial partner to the African Union (AU), with a key commitment of €150 billion in investments and grants under the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package (2021-2027). In addition to this large-scale initiative, the EU supports the AU through targeted funding, including €600 million for peace and security.