Lagos, Nigeria – November 9, 2024
In a landmark move toward justice, unity, and cultural preservation, leaders from Africa and the diaspora convened at the AIDO Network International Sixth Annual Convention and Royal Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, to issue the highly anticipated Lagos Declaration on Human Rights and Culture. This declaration, which brings together traditional leaders, government representatives, human rights advocates, and civil society from across Africa, the Caribbean, the United States, Europe, and beyond, represents a powerful commitment to advancing reparatory justice, human rights, and the cultural empowerment of African people globally.
The Lagos Declaration underscores Africa’s united stance against historical injustices endured through centuries of trans-Atlantic enslavement, chattel enslavement, and colonial exploitation, which left deep scars of intergenerational poverty, systemic racial discrimination, and cultural dislocation. By calling for reparations and cultural reunification, the declaration builds on a series of historic commitments, notably the AIDO Declarations of Mombasa (2023) and Atlanta (2022). Its release also aligns with the African Union’s 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” which amplifies the global call for justice for crimes committed against Africans and their descendants.
The Lagos Declaration explicitly reaffirms AIDO Network International’s commitment to the African philosophy of Ubuntu, recognizing that human rights are universal and essential to social stability and progress. Acknowledging the profound socio-economic challenges Africa faces, the declaration emphasizes collaborative programs aimed at addressing poverty, inequality, corruption, and human rights abuses. The assembly in Lagos calls for immediate action from African governments, cultural leaders, and global bodies to support reparatory justice and cultural restoration initiatives that are not only vital to Africa’s future but also to global equity and justice.
Key points of the Lagos Declaration include:
- A Unified Global Africa: AIDO pledges to build a united global Africa, fostering development and advancement across both Africa and the diaspora.
- Promotion of Reparatory Justice: AIDO renews its call for reparatory justice for African and African-descended people, urging the world to recognize the injustices of slavery, genocide, and colonialism, and to implement policies for healing and restitution.
- Reconnection Agenda for Diaspora Unity: Committed to facilitating cultural and spiritual reunification, AIDO will advance its Global African Diaspora Kingdom’s Reconnection Agenda, welcoming African descendants back to their heritage, traditions, and spiritual ties with the continent.
“AIDO’s Lagos Declaration signifies an unyielding commitment to justice, unity, and cultural empowerment for African people worldwide,” said a spokesperson from AIDO Network International. “This declaration reaffirms our mission to revive and preserve African heritage, uphold human rights, and ensure a future of dignity, prosperity, and resilience for all African people and their descendants.”
The Lagos Declaration is a call to action for the international community to support Africa’s human rights journey and the path toward reparatory justice. With global support, the shared vision of a strong, resilient, and unified Global Africa is within reach.
About AIDO Network International
AIDO Network International is a global organization devoted to promoting African cultural heritage, justice, and unity between Africa and its diaspora. The annual AIDO Convention and Royal Summit serve as essential platforms for mobilizing support and championing the rights, justice, and cultural integrity of African people worldwide.
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