The race for the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, a 56-nation organization encompassing 2.7 billion people, has taken a significant turn. All three candidates, vying to lead this organization with roots in the British Empire, have declared their unwavering support for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism.
This unified stance marks a pivotal moment in the Commonwealth’s history, reflecting a growing awareness of the need to address the enduring legacy of colonialism and its impact on generations. The Commonwealth, which includes nations like Canada, India, 21 African countries, and Caribbean islands such as Barbados and Jamaica, has long grappled with its colonial past.
King Charles, the current head of the Commonwealth, has previously expressed deep sorrow over slavery and pledged support for research examining the British monarchy’s links to the transatlantic slave trade. However, despite these acknowledgments, Britain, like many other former colonial powers, has consistently resisted calls for reparations.
The candidates’ positions on reparations have ignited a crucial conversation within the Commonwealth. Shirley Botchwey (Ghana) sees the Commonwealth as a platform to amplify the voices of member states seeking reparations. Joshua Setipa (Lesotho) advocates for immediate action on reparations, emphasizing the organization’s role in facilitating complex discussions surrounding historical injustices. Mamadou Tangara (Gambia) fully endorses reparations, suggesting that member states should spearhead these conversations, with the Commonwealth acting as a facilitator.
Beyond financial compensation, Botchwey and Setipa emphasize the multifaceted nature of reparations, advocating for support in addressing climate change and building economic resilience in countries impacted by colonial exploitation.
The transatlantic slave trade, a harrowing chapter in human history, saw European merchants forcibly transport an estimated 12.5 million Africans into slavery between the 15th and 19th centuries. Britain, responsible for transporting 3.2 million enslaved individuals, remains a focal point in the reparations debate.
The call for reparations, once a divisive issue, is gaining momentum. Institutions and nations are increasingly acknowledging the profound historical wrongs inflicted during the colonial era. The Caribbean Community has formulated a 10-point reparation plan, including debt cancellation, while the African Union is developing a unified stance on reparations under the leadership of Ghana. Earlier this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for reparations to address centuries of exclusion and discrimination.
With the Commonwealth poised to elect its new Secretary-General in October during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa, the candidates’ united stance on reparations promises to shape the organization’s future and its commitment to confronting the legacy of colonialism.
