APIA: The Commonwealth’s 56-member states declared Saturday that the “time has come” for discussions on the legacy of the “abhorrent” transatlantic slave trade, signaling the potential for future reparations.
During a landmark summit in Samoa, leaders from Britain and former colonies engaged in lengthy and sometimes tense discussions about this sensitive aspect of their shared history.
In a joint statement, they acknowledged calls for “reparatory justice” related to the transatlantic slave trade and the ongoing effects of colonialism and the dispossession of Indigenous peoples.
“The time has come for a meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity,” stated the “Samoa Communique.” Countries from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific urged Britain and other colonial powers to take responsibility for slavery and begin discussions on compensation, as many still suffer economically from their colonial past.
While Britain has expressed remorse for slavery, it has hesitated to commit to financial reparations, which could carry significant costs. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that discussions had not focused on monetary compensation, aiming to maintain Commonwealth unity.
The conclusion of the summit was delayed as leaders worked to reach a compromise, resulting in a final text that some former colonies found less explicit than desired.
Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis remarked that it was time for “a real dialogue about how we address these historical wrongs,” highlighting the generational wounds left by slavery.
Experts view the summit as a historic opportunity for dialogue on reparatory justice. Kingsley Abbott from the University of London’s Institute of Commonwealth Studies noted that this commitment could pave the way for meaningful discussions.
For Britain, the summit was a delicate balancing act, especially with political pressure at home and calls for King Charles III to apologize for the royal family’s historical ties to the slave trade. While attending his first summit as monarch, King Charles acknowledged the painful aspects of the past but refrained from offering a formal apology.
On a more unified front, Commonwealth leaders found common ground on the pressing issue of climate change, agreeing to an “Ocean Declaration” that recognizes existing national maritime boundaries despite rising sea levels. They committed to protecting at least 30 percent of the ocean and restoring 30 percent of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030.
The leaders also appointed Ghana’s foreign minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as the new secretary-general of the Commonwealth. Botchwey, who has previously advocated for reparations, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she received for this new role, acknowledging the work ahead.
