The Commonwealth’s 56 members agreed on Saturday that “the time has come” for talks on the legacy of the “abhorrent” trans-Atlantic slave trade, in a landmark summit declaration that raised the prospect of future reparations.
Leaders of Britain and dozens of former colonies gathered in Samoa, holding lengthy and sometimes tense talks about one of the most sensitive aspects of their shared and turbulent past.
In a joint statement, Commonwealth leaders cited calls for “reparative justice” for the “abhorrent” trans-Atlantic slave trade and the “lasting effects” of indigenous dispossession, forced labor and colonialism.
“It is time for a meaningful, honest and respectful conversation to forge a shared future based on justice,” the Samoa Joint Statement said.
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries want Britain – and other colonial powers – to atone for slavery and other ills of colonialism, and to begin talks about reparations.
Many remain poorer than their colonial masters, and continue to suffer the effects of a brutal trade that saw an estimated 10 to 15 million people taken as slaves from Africa over four centuries.
While Britain expressed remorse for slavery in general, London rejected the idea of paying financial reparations, which could come at a high price.
During the summit, London tried to avoid making explicit commitments while trying to maintain some semblance of Commonwealth unity.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after the meeting: “I have to be really clear here, during the two days that we spent here, none of the discussions were about money.”
He added, “Our position is very clear regarding this,” stressing that the talks were “very positive.”
The conclusion of the meeting was delayed for hours as leaders and officials tried to reach a compromise.
The final text may be more ambiguous and legalistic than some former colonies wanted.
Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis said during the summit Agence France-Presse It is time to have a “real dialogue about how to address these historical wrongs.”
“The horrors of slavery have left a deep wound for generations in our communities, and the fight for justice and reparative justice is far from over.”
But one expert said the summit could be seen as historic.
“Committing to conversations about reparative justice opens the door to dialogue,” said Kingsley Abbott, of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London.
“The Commonwealth should see this as an opportunity to lead a potentially historic process, and do so with vision and courage,” he said.
The “painful” past.
For Britain – still clinging to its place in the post-Empire world and leaving the European Union – the summit was a high-stakes balancing act.
Starmer is under political pressure at home, and King Charles III, whose family benefited from the slave trade for centuries, has faced calls to apologize personally.
The British prince, who was attending his first summit as king and head of the Commonwealth, stopped short of apologizing on Friday, calling on delegates to “reject the language of division.”
“I understand, from listening to people across the Commonwealth, how the most painful aspects of our past still resonate,” he said.
“None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts, to learning its lessons and finding innovative ways to correct the inequalities that persist.”
Charles left for London before the summit’s final statement was agreed.
Pacific blue
Commonwealth leaders have found more common cause on the “existential” issue of climate change.
They agreed on an “Ocean Declaration,” which recognizes existing national maritime boundaries even if sea levels continue to rise.
They also agreed to protect at least 30% of the oceans and restore at least 30% of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030.
“What the Ocean Declaration appears to do and say is that once you have established your maritime boundaries, they will be fixed forever,” said the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland. Agence France-Presse.
Commonwealth leaders also agreed to appoint Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the new Secretary-General.
A former lawmaker, she has served as Foreign Minister for the past seven years, most notably guiding Ghana’s two-year term on the UN Security Council, which expires in December 2023.
She has supported the drafting of a Commonwealth Free Trade Agreement and has previously said she supports reparations.
“I am truly humbled by the overwhelming support of the Commonwealth Heads of Government for my selection as the new Commonwealth Secretary-General,” she posted on social media.
“Work is already waiting for us!”