The premiere of the documentary, Reparations: The Colonial Debt was held in Bamako, the Malian capital, to resounding public and media attention.
Produced under the Réveil d’Afrik initiative, the film sheds critical light on one of Africa’s most urgent conversations — the call for reparations from former colonial powers.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker and researcher Ibrahima Sow, the documentary makes a compelling case for reparative justice. It chronicles some of the most egregious colonial-era crimes and examines the continued economic and political pressures exerted on African nations. Sow also presents detailed legal pathways that could empower national governments to pursue reparations through international frameworks.
The film features perspectives from notable experts across the continent, including Gnaka Lagoke (Professor of Pan-African Studies in Côte d’Ivoire), Dr. Fode Moussa Sidibé (Malian historian), and Aminata Dramane Traoré (Malian sociologist and writer).
Sidibé asserted that ‘France has inflicted lasting harm on Mali — seeking reparations is both a right and a responsibility owed to future generations’.
The premiere drew an audience of influential figures — from politicians and academics to members of the judiciary and media. Among them was the Vice-President of Mali’s National Defence Commission, Hon. Fousseynou Ouattara, who strongly criticised the colonial occupation in the West African country, characterising it as exploitative and dehumanizing.
In attendance was also the Director of the National Film Centre, Mr. Fousseyni Maiga, who is Mali’s most prolific filmmaker in recent years. Representing the Minister of Culture, he announced that 2025 has been designated as the “Year of Culture” in Mali and emphasised the importance of screening the film in universities to educate students and faculty alike on the historical roots of the reparations movement.
Across the board, both the film’s creators and premiere attendees underscored a shared consensus: that reparations are not only necessary for restoring historical justice but are central to Africa’s path toward dignity and autonomy.
The documentary is scheduled for nationwide broadcast on ORTM and Africable Television, expanding its impact across Mali and the broader African continent.
