Faith Nyasuguta
At the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, King Charles has confronted the “painful aspects” of Britain’s colonial past while steering clear of direct discussions on reparations for slavery. This summit marked the first time King Charles attended the gathering since ascending the throne, addressing leaders from 56 Commonwealth nations.
In his speech, Charles acknowledged the historical injustices that continue to resonate across the Commonwealth, emphasizing the importance of understanding history to guide future choices. “None of us can change the past, but we can commit to learning its lessons,” he stated. He urged the Commonwealth to use “the language of community and respect” and reject divisive rhetoric while addressing current global challenges such as climate change and development issues.
The King also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s unwavering dedication to the Commonwealth, noting her significant influence on his life and views.
Many leaders attending CHOGM had hoped for a more robust stance from King Charles, potentially including an apology for Britain’s colonial past and a commitment to reparatory justice. Although Charles acknowledged these concerns, he did not directly engage with the topic. “I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” he said. “It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history to guide us to make the right choices in the future.”
The issue of reparations has been a contentious one, with several African and Caribbean nations calling for financial compensation from Britain and other European powers for the horrors of slavery. The Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, emphasized the necessity of addressing historical wrongs. “The time has come to have a real dialogue about how we address these historical wrongs,” he said.
“Reparatory justice is not an easy conversation, but it’s an important one. The horrors of slavery left a deep, generational wound in our communities, and the fight for justice and reparatory justice is far from over.“
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer appeared to open the door to non-financial reparations during the summit. Despite ruling out paying financial reparations or offering an official apology for the UK’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, a Downing Street source indicated that the UK could support other forms of reparatory justice, such as restructuring financial institutions and providing debt relief. It was suggested that some reference to reparations might be included in the summit’s final communique.
Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and one of the founding leaders of the current reparations committee, highlighted the importance of a reparative justice plan that addresses the enduring psychological and socioeconomic impacts of slavery. “The British committed genocide against and traumatized both the Indigenous people and enslaved Africans in SVG,” he argued.
Gonsalves pointed out the stark contrast between the compensation given to enslavers at abolition and the nothingness received by the enslaved people. “There was nothing for them to start with and build on—no land, no money, no training, no education,” he said. This damaging legacy of enslavement and oppression, he added, continues to plague Caribbean nations.
Outgoing Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, also acknowledged the concerns about colonial legacies in her speech at the summit’s opening. “For 75 years, we have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to confound the painful history which brought us together and sit together as equals,” she said.
Prime Minister Davis reiterated that the call for reparations is not merely about financial compensation. “It’s about recognizing the enduring impact of centuries of exploitation and ensuring that the legacy of slavery is addressed with honesty and integrity,” he said. Joshua Setipa from Lesotho, a candidate for the next Commonwealth Secretary-General, suggested that reparations could include non-traditional forms of payment such as climate financing.
“We can find a solution that will begin to address some injustices of the past and put them in the context happening around us today,” he said.
In his speech, Charles also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth and her commitment to the Commonwealth, which he said “has helped to shape my own life for as long as I can remember.” He addressed development challenges and the climate crisis, urging action with unequivocal determination. “Lives, livelihoods and human rights are at risk across the Commonwealth. If we do not act, then inequalities across the Commonwealth and beyond will only be exacerbated, with the potential to fuel division and conflict,” he warned.
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