INTERVIEW AT DW TV
Jean-Claude Abalo Correspondent in New York, USA, for the French-language program of Deutsche Welle
Correct The Map · African Union · United Nations
New York · September 4, 2026
DW Interview Robert Dussey: “Correct the Map” is a battle for dignity, education and the fair representation of Africa
Guest
H.E. Professor Robert DUSSEY
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Togolese Abroad
Led by Togo on behalf of the African Union, the “Correct the Map” initiative seeks to promote a more accurate representation of the real proportions of the continents, particularly Africa. Following the adoption of the resolution at the United Nations, Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Robert Dussey, spoke to Deutsche Welle about the political, educational, geopolitical and symbolic stakes of the campaign.
Interviewed in New York by Jean-Claude Abalo, DW’s correspondent, the head of Togolese diplomacy emphasized that the initiative is not merely a technical debate about cartography. For him, it is a matter of dignity, cognitive justice and symbolic reparation for the African continent.
“Correct the Map” is part of a broader movement of reparation and recognition of Africa’s true place in the world.
DWWhy was a United Nations resolution necessary to advance the “Correct the Map” initiative?
Robert Dussey explained that the adoption of a United Nations resolution gives political and institutional weight to a long-standing African demand. According to him, the dominant representation of the world has for too long created the impression that Africa is a small continent, whereas geographical reality shows the opposite.
The minister recalled that on the Equal Earth projection, Africa appears in proportions closer to its actual surface area. By contrast, the Mercator projection, widely taught in schools and universities, visually enlarges regions located near the poles and reduces the perception of continents situated around the Equator.
This distortion, he argued, has helped shape mistaken perceptions. The example of Greenland is particularly telling: on some classical world maps, it may appear comparable in size to Africa, even though the African continent is about fourteen times larger.
For Professor Dussey, the resolution is therefore important both as an act of reparation and as a matter of dignity for African peoples and populations.
DWBeyond the map itself, what is the real issue behind “Correct the Map”?
For the Togolese minister, the first issue is education. Correcting the map also means correcting schoolbooks, teaching materials and the way new generations learn geography. The goal is to transmit a fairer representation of the world and allow African children, as well as children everywhere, to understand the real proportions of continents.
But the issue goes far beyond classrooms. Robert Dussey noted that digital platforms, online mapping systems, GPS services and navigation tools have, in many cases, been shaped by the legacy of the Mercator projection. Moving toward more faithful representations therefore also requires technological, institutional and financial adjustments.
Main issues identified
- An educational issue: revising geography books and learning materials in order to correct inherited representations.
- A symbolic issue: restoring an image of Africa that is more consistent with its geographical and historical reality.
- A technological issue: encouraging digital platforms to evolve toward more accurate representations of the world.
- A geopolitical issue: affirming Africa’s place in international debates on justice, representation and equality.
The minister acknowledged that such changes can entail costs. Some public and private actors may be reluctant to fully support the process, since it requires investment and the revision of many existing tools. Nevertheless, he believes that the symbolic and educational importance of this transformation justifies the effort.
A follow-up committee should make it possible to engage with States, educational institutions, technology companies and relevant private stakeholders in order to determine the practical modalities of implementation.
DWAs a university professor and academic, what does this adoption mean to you personally?
Robert Dussey expressed a sense of pride after what he described as a historic vote. In his view, the resolution marks another step in Africa’s struggle to reclaim its rightful place in the concert of nations.
He stressed that the question of representation is not limited to geography. It also touches on history, economics, diplomacy and global governance. The minister notably linked the initiative to Africa’s broader demands for fairer representation within the United Nations Security Council.
According to him, a deep imbalance still exists in the international order. Despite its demographic, geographical, economic and strategic weight, Africa still does not have a permanent seat on the Security Council. This situation, he argued, illustrates the need for African leaders to assume their responsibilities and carry the continent’s demands themselves.
This initiative reminds the world that the way maps represent places also influences how peoples are perceived.
By defending “Correct the Map,” Togo and the African Union are therefore opening a broader debate on the justice of representations. A world map does not change the physical reality of continents, but it can transform the way they are seen.
For Professor Robert Dussey, this campaign is part of a wider movement: an Africa that refuses to be minimized, asserts its dignity and seeks to pass on to future generations a fairer, more balanced and more respectful perception of the world.