Rwanda Hosts Pan-African Conference on Reparations and International Law
Rwanda is preparing to host an important African legal conference in Kigali. The meeting will take place from November 6 to 7, 2026. The African Society of International Law (AfSIL) will organise its 15th Annual Conference. Its theme is Africa and the Challenge of Reparation in International Law. According to The New Times’ October 27 report, the event will bring together African lawyers, historians and legal experts. They will discuss past injustices and the fight for reparations. The conference will also give experts a chance to share ideas. In addition, they will explore legal solutions that can help African countries seek justice.
The conference will focus on slavery, colonialism and apartheid. It will also examine how these events continue to affect African communities. Participants will discuss how international courts can support victims and affected communities. They will also explore compensation, the return of stolen property and legal accountability. According to the AfSIL conference programme, the sessions will examine international law and Africa’s experience of historical injustice. These discussions come at an important time. The African Union has launched its Decade of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. The programme will run from 2026 to 2035.
Meanwhile, the African Union is taking steps to advance the reparations agenda. In June 2026, the African Union Commission announced progress by its Committee of Experts on Reparations and Reference Group of Legal Experts. The experts have formed working groups to study key areas of reparatory justice. These include law, finance, education, culture and global governance. Their work aims to help African countries develop a shared approach to reparations. Therefore, the Kigali conference offers an important chance to support this effort. Experts can share research and suggest practical legal solutions. Ultimately, the meeting could help Africa strengthen its position in the global fight for historical justice.
