Commonwealth leaders agree on slavery compensation

Fifty six heads of government of the Commonwealth including UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, agreed at their meeting which ended yesterday in Apia, Samoa that the “time has come” for a conversation on slavery reparations.

Sir Keir himself acknowledged calls for “discussions on reparatory justice” for the “abhorrent” transatlantic slave trade.

The Commonwealth heads’ statement said it is time for a “meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation.”

Sir Keir said there had been no discussions about money at the meeting, and that the UK is “very clear” in its position that it would not pay reparations.

Expectedly, King Charles III who addressed the Commonwealth leaders at the commencement of the Samoa meeting offered no apologies for the role of the UK in the slave trade which saw millions of Africans enslaved and forced to work, largely on plantations in the Caribbean and Americas.

He merely said “I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves had earlier told journalists that UK would not pay reparations for slavery.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth yesterday unveiled Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as its new Secretary General,the second African to lead the Commonwealth Secretariat in its 75-year history.

The first African to hold the position was Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who served from 1990 to 2000.

A former lawmaker, Botchwey,61, served as foreign minister for seven years, notably steering Ghana’s two-year tenure on the UN Security Council, ending December 2023.

She has backed the drafting of a free trade agreement among Commonwealth member states and has previously said she stands for reparations.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated her on her election to the post.

Nigeria supported Botchwey’s bid for the position.

The President in his congratulatory message expressed confidence in her leadership abilities and was optimistic that she would advance the Commonwealth’s efforts in fostering economic and political partnerships, as well as strengthening the bloc’s influence in global affairs.

He highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to a Commonwealth that champions intra-Commonwealth trade, African exports, and increased African representation at the United Nations, particularly in the bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

President Tinubu also extended his gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, acknowledging her years of leadership and wishing her well in her future endeavours.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga said the President “ looks forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General to advance the Commonwealth’s vision of fostering peace, equity and prosperity for all member nations.

“The President reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to championing a Commonwealth that prioritises strengthening intra-commonwealth trade, African exports, and a unified presence at the United Nations that supports an African bid for a permanent representation at the Security Council.”

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