Faith Nyasuguta
A powerful call for reparations echoed through the halls of Chatham House in London as the three candidates vying to become the next secretary-general of the Commonwealth demanded justice for the enduring legacy of slavery and colonization.
Representing The Gambia, Ghana, and Lesotho, the candidates declared their unwavering support for either financial reparations or “reparative justice,” sparking a fervent debate that could reshape the 56-member organization.
This push for reparations comes in the wake of global outrage over the murder of George Floyd in 2020, which ignited the Black Lives Matter movement and forced governments, institutions, and individuals to confront the historic injustices of the transatlantic slave trade. African and Caribbean nations have since united to demand accountability from former slave-owning states for the “historical mass crimes” they perpetrated.
Shirley Botchwey, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, boldly stated, “Financial reparations are good.” She emphasized that any action by the Commonwealth would depend on the heads of government providing a mandate to the new secretary-general.
Joshua Setipa, Lesotho’s former Trade Minister, pledged to take immediate action if elected, saying, “I support the idea of reparative justice. The Commonwealth has a long history of facilitating discussions around difficult issues. We’ve tackled racism before, which was even more divisive than this.”
Mamadou Tangara, The Gambia’s Foreign Minister, echoed this sentiment: “I am fully in support of reparatory justice. The Commonwealth can use its convening power to facilitate dialogue and make it happen.”
The Commonwealth, a modern organization born from the ashes of the British Empire, includes 56 nations, most of which are former British colonies. With a collective population of 2.7 billion, it is currently headed ceremonially by King Charles, following Queen Elizabeth’s passionate advocacy for its unity. However, the organization now faces a pivotal moment, with a growing demand from its member states to address historical wrongs.
Despite some criticism that the Commonwealth is a relic of colonialism, all three candidates to succeed Patricia Scotland as secretary-general defended its relevance. They highlighted its potential to champion vital causes such as climate change action and youth unemployment, areas that demand urgent global attention.
The leadership vote will take place at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa from October 21 to 26, where the organization’s future direction and commitment to justice will be fiercely debated. The time for action is now – the Commonwealth must decide whether it will lead in righting the wrongs of the past or remain silent in the face of calls for justice.
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