For years, Africa's push for reparations from European nations for colonial-era wrongs has been piecemeal. Now the continent wants to consolidate ongoing campaigns.
For years, Africa's push for reparations for colonial-era wrongs from European nations have been scattered but the continent wants to consolidate ongoing campaigns.
Activists in Africa are concerned about how fast the continent has become a dumpsite for Europe for everything from electronic waste to used clothing. It's a toxic nuisance that poses a huge environmental threat.
Two sisters change the chocolate market in Ghana
Ineffective voluntary commitments
Unfortunately, this grim division of labor has existed for many decades. There have been numerous political efforts to change this reality. Some companies based in developed countries, too, have attempted to ensure basic labor, environmental and social standards are met during the production process abroad.
For fair supply chains: German Development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU, left) and Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD)
In 2018, Germany s governing coalition comprising the Christian Democrats (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) agreed that a law to this end would be passed unless companies voluntary commitments proved effective.