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The leaders of the Commonwealth have agreed to consider reparations for the historic slave trade, despite the UK government’s attempts to ignore their demands leading up to the biennial gathering of the association.
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Samoa, attendees promised to address the harms of past slavery. In a communique, they acknowledged the need for discussions on reparatory justice regarding the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement.
The communique emphasized the importance of having a meaningful and respectful conversation to build a common future based on equity.
Although Sir Keir Starmer stated that the primary focus of the summit was addressing climate change, the paragraph on reparations in the communique sparked discussions. Downing Street had initially resisted including language on reparatory justice in the communique, but pressure from various member states, including some Caribbean countries, led to its inclusion.
Reparations may not necessarily involve direct financial transfers and could instead be in the form of debt relief, apologies, or broader economic support. Reports suggest that the UK owes significant amounts in reparations to Caribbean nations.
The meeting also saw the appointment of a new secretary-general for the Commonwealth secretariat. Shirley Botchwey, the current minister for foreign affairs in Ghana, was selected for the role, with a stance on reparations that aligns with discussions within the Commonwealth framework.