President William Ruto has urged Africa and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to intensify their push for reparatory justice over historical injustices.

He called for greater support and resources for the Africa-CARICOM Reparations Working Group, saying this would enable it to advance the agenda more effectively.

The President also pushed for joint action at the United Nations, stressing the need for a resolution that firmly places reparatory justice on the global agenda.

Ruto linked the crushing debt faced by African and Caribbean nations to colonial exploitation, arguing that it remains one of the most pressing injustices.

He further encouraged stronger cultural and educational exchanges between the two regions, noting that these would help preserve shared history and inspire younger generations to carry the struggle forward.

“By strengthening our joint efforts, developing common strategies, and advancing coordinated initiatives, Africa and the Caribbean can ensure that reparations speak not only to the injustices of the past, but also to the inequalities of the present and the promise of the future,” he said.

President William Ruto made his call during the second Africa-CARICOM Summit held on Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event brought together several leaders, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, African Union Chairperson and Angolan President João Lourenço, AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett.

Ruto stressed that reparatory justice is not only about financial compensation but also about honoring resilience, restoring dignity, and addressing the deep injustices left by slavery and colonialism.

He noted that the scars of colonial rule remain evident today, making the call for reparations both moral and urgent.

The President recalled Kenya’s own journey in 2013, when freedom fighters tortured under British rule finally received recognition and compensation.

“That moment proved that history can be confronted, and that justice, though delayed, is still possible,” he said.