A Nigerian cleric, Dr. Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, urging the initiation of a global reparations process for Africa over the transatlantic slave trade.

Ezenwafor, founder of the Universal Prayer Fellowship worldwide, addressed the petition to Trump and the Chairman of the Board of Peace at the White House in Washington, D.C., describing centuries of African enslavement as a heinous crime against humanity whose repercussions persist across the continent.

He argued that Western nations that benefited from the trade should formally acknowledge their historical roles and support a structured restitution and development framework for affected African communities.

According to him, the transatlantic slave trade, which spanned from the late 15th to the 19th century, resulted in the forced shipment of millions of Africans to Europe and the Americas. He maintained that the trade depleted Africa’s workforce, destabilised traditional institutions, and contributed to long-term poverty and instability, particularly in West and Central Africa.

Ezenwafor stated that European powers, including Portugal, Spain, Britain, France, and the Netherlands, drove demand for enslaved Africans, triggering widespread violence, raids, and kidnappings that dismantled numerous communities and cultural systems.

He further contended that the legacy of slavery and colonialism significantly shaped global economic disparities and the development gap between Africa and Western nations, while also inflicting lasting psychological and cultural harm, including erosion of identity and self-worth among affected populations.

The cleric called on the U.S. government, citing its global influence, to convene an international conference on reparations. He proposed that countries historically linked to the slave trade should assess their responsibilities and make voluntary contributions to a global reparations fund.

Ezenwafor suggested that such a fund be administered by an independent international board mandated to implement projects in impacted African communities, with a focus on infrastructure, education, economic empowerment, and cultural restoration.

He added that the reparations framework could be structured over an extended period to guarantee sustainable financing and accountability, recommending that contractors and project supervisors operate independently of local governments to reduce corruption risks and enhance transparency.

Ezenwafor expressed optimism that a coordinated reparations initiative would help address historical injustices, restore dignity, and improve socio-economic conditions across the continent.

He also linked the proposal to migration trends, arguing that development driven by reparations could curb irregular migration from Africa to Western countries. (The Nation)

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