Ghana has expressed its “sincere appreciation” to UN member states following the adoption of Resolution A/RES/80/250 on 25 March 2026, which formally recognises the International Day for the Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The resolution was approved by 123 countries in the UN General Assembly, with all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council reportedly voting in favour.

The vote, however, revealed divisions among member states. The United States, Argentina, and Israel voted against the resolution, which explicitly described slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as a “crime against humanity” and called for reparations. All 27 members of the European Union abstained, citing concerns over the language describing slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity.”

Gabriella Michaelidou, the Cypriot deputy UN ambassador whose government currently holds the EU’s six-month presidency, warned that such phrasing could imply “a hierarchy among atrocity crimes,” potentially creating diplomatic sensitivities regarding other human rights violations.

Ghanaian officials framed the adoption as a significant milestone in advancing justice, recognition, and healing for the millions affected by slavery. Discussions following the vote included John Dramani Mahama, emphasising the need for continued dialogue and public awareness around the transatlantic slave trade’s enduring legacy.

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The resolution further positions Ghana as a leading voice in global governance, highlighting its democratic credentials and influence in shaping international priorities such as sustainable development and global health.

While the resolution’s adoption is expected to strengthen international observance of the remembrance day and promote educational initiatives, the abstentions and opposing votes underscore ongoing debates over historical accountability, reparations, and the framing of atrocities within the UN system.

A coalition of Barbadian civil society groups has launched a humanitarian initiative to assist Cuba as the island continues to grapple with acute shortages linked to longstanding US sanctions and fuel constraints.

The Barbados–Cuba Relief Initiative, led by the Hibiscus Sports and Culture Foundation in collaboration with the Barbados-Cuba Friendship Association, aims to mobilise community support and deliver essential supplies to Cuban communities facing mounting economic strain.

Organisers say the campaign will focus on collecting and shipping critical items, including medical supplies, food staples and solar-powered equipment, as Cuba confronts persistent disruptions to energy and supply chains. The initiative is framed as a grassroots response to worsening material conditions on the island, where access to basic goods has become increasingly limited.

The effort is also being positioned within a wider regional context. Campaign leaders have called for stronger Caribbean coordination and indicated that outreach to CARICOM member states is under consideration, with the aim of building a broader humanitarian corridor to Cuba.

Supporters of the initiative point to the longstanding ties between Barbados and Cuba, noting Havana’s history of providing medical brigades and disaster relief assistance across the Caribbean. For many involved, the campaign represents not only an emergency response but a continuation of a reciprocal relationship rooted in regional solidarity.

Newly elected Black mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko, is facing a wave of racist attacks following his historic victory. Lilian Thuram condemned the abuse in an op-ed for Le Monde, warning that it perpetuates deep-rooted anti-Black stereotypes.

Acclaimed as a hero in the streets of Saint-Denis, Bagayoko, 52, an executive at the RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) and a member of La France Insoumise, secured 50.8% of the vote. He decisively defeated the outgoing mayor, Mathieu Hanotin of the Parti Socialiste, who received 32.49%.

Reacting to the attacks, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, denounced what he described as “unacceptable racist aggression,” framing the backlash as evidence of enduring structural racism in French political life. Thuram echoed this view, stressing that such reactions reveal how deeply entrenched prejudice remains, even in moments of democratic progress.