African Court extols President of Cape Verde

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has extolled the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr. José Maria Neves, for his deep commitment to justice and human rights, which serves as a source of immense pride for the entire African human rights community.

The President of the African Court, Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, gave commendation on behalf of the African Continental Court during the opening of the 2025 Judicial Year of the court in Arusha, Tanzania.

Lady Justice Aboud described the President of Cape Verde, who was the guest of honour and keynote speaker at the official ceremony to commemorate the African Court Judicial Year, as a historic visit, as it serves as the first sitting head of state to attend an event of the African Court.

“This affirms President Neves and the Republic of Cape Verde’s commitment to justice and human rights. We express our profound gratitude for your presence, Your Excellency,” the African Court President stated.

The 2025 African Court Judicial Year is marked on the theme: “Advancing Justice through Reparations.”

The African Court President noted that the theme was of paramount importance as it aligns with the African Union's 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”

She said these resonate deeply with “our shared history, the ongoing struggles for justice, and our aspirations for a brighter future. It compels us to confront the enduring legacies of historical injustices and to embrace reparations as a critical pathway to justice, healing, and the restoration of dignity for Africans and people of African descent.”

She explained that the African Court's selection of the theme was deliberate and timely.

Lady Justice Aboud stressed that the scars of history—slavery, colonialism, apartheid, systemic racism, and economic exploitation—remain painfully visible across our continent.

“These injustices are not relegated to the past; their insidious effects continue to manifest in social inequalities, economic disparities, and the erosion of cultural heritage that persist to this day,” she noted.

President Neves, in his speech, noted that the Judicial Year Commemoration was of immense significance, as it compels Africans to reflect on justice and the role of reparations on the continent.

He said, “These issues are deeply intertwined with our history, dignity, and common future.”

He commended the African Court for the choice of the theme, "Advancing Justice Through Reparations," which is in line with the African Union's broader theme for this year: "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations."

President Neves stressed that such an approach is an unequivocal acknowledgement of the need to confront, with both courage and resolve, the historical injustices that have shaped our continent.

The President of Cape Verde noted that the issue of reparations extends far beyond mere material compensation.

“It encompasses a holistic approach to include fundamental pillars such as health, education, and culture, essential for healing the wounds of the past and for building a future defined by equity and prosperity.

“With a deep sense of respect and historical responsibility, I stand here before you today to reflect on the conflicts in Africa and the pressing need for reparations.

“Our continent—the cradle of humanity—still bears the scars of multiple scourges—fratricidal wars, instrumentalized ethnic divisions, including the apartheid system, and injustices created, imposed, and perpetuated—that have not only marked its past but continue to compromise its present and its future,” President Neves stated.

He said the consequences of these conflicts that have crossed our continent—many of which, unfortunately, persist in regions such as Sudan, the borders of the Republic of Congo, or the Sahel—go beyond physical destruction.

The President of Cape Verde expressed concern that these wars uproot communities, dismantle social, economic, and political structures, and inflict intergenerational traumas that endure through time.

“I think of the children who have been deprived of their childhood and right to education, of the women who have been subjected to unspeakable violence, villages that were devastated, and the cultures that have been devalued or erased.

“These wounds, both visible and invisible, demand more than words from us—they demand effective reparations,” he noted.

The Solemn Ceremony, held at the Seat of the Court in Arusha, brought together distinguished guests, including President José Maria Neves of Cape Verde, who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

Other dignitaries were Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who participated virtually, and Ambassador Shaib Mussa, who represented Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania.

Others included Jumanne Sagini, Deputy Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, who also represented Dr. Damas D. Ndumbaro, Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Tanzania; and Mr Marcel Akpovo, Regional Representative for East Africa and to the African Union, who represented Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The rest were Chief Justices of African Union Member States, Members of the Permanent Representatives Committee to the African Union, Judges of the African Court, representatives of AU Member States and Organs, Judges of international, Regional, and National Courts, the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of National Human Rights Institutions, Legal Professionals, Academia and Civil Society, and members of the media.

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