Botswana president backs UN initiative for more accurate representation of Africa on maps
Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko said the recently adopted UN General Assembly resolution on correcting maps is about more than geography, arguing that it also concerns fair representation of Africa and its people.
In an interview with China Media Group in Beijing, Boko said wider use of the Equal Earth projection would more accurately reflect the real size of continents and reduce distortions associated with the widely used Mercator projection.
He said the long-standing visual shrinking of Africa on maps had affected not only perceptions of the continent's territory but also attitudes toward its people and historical legacy.
Boko also linked the initiative to broader debates over historical justice and reparations for colonialism and slavery. He said countries that benefited from the exploitation of African resources and people should address the issue of compensation.
On September 4, the UN General Assembly adopted the non-binding "Correct the Map" resolution, encouraging wider use of the Equal Earth projection and other equal-area maps when accurate relative size is important. The resolution does not ban the Mercator projection or mandate a single replacement.
The resolution was adopted with 164 votes in favor, one against and six abstentions. The United States cast the sole opposing vote.
According to CCTV+, Boko described the UN decision as a step toward more accurate and equitable representation of Africa in global cartography and a broader discussion of historical justice.
