APIA (Reuters) – Commonwealth members have chosen Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the new secretary-general of the 56-nation organization led by Britain’s King Charles, the Commonwealth announced on the final day of a summit in Samoa attended by Charles and Queen Camilla.
Representatives from the member countries, most of which have historical ties to the British empire, have been participating in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa since Monday, with issues such as slavery and climate change taking center stage.
“Today at #CHOGM2024, Commonwealth Heads of Government have appointed Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who currently serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,” the Commonwealth announced.
Botchwey, a proponent of reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, will succeed Britain’s Patricia Scotland, who has held the position since 2016.
Earlier on Saturday, King Charles and Queen Camilla departed Samoa after a visit where the monarch acknowledged the “painful” history of the Commonwealth, amidst calls for former colonial powers to compensate for their roles in transatlantic slavery.
Charles and Camilla left Samoa around 12 p.m. local time on a Royal Australia Air Force jet, bidding farewell as they boarded the plane at Apia’s Faleolo International Airport.
Prior to their departure, the royal couple attended a farewell ceremony in the village of Siumu, despite heavy rainfall.
During a speech at the summit on Friday, Charles expressed his understanding of how the painful aspects of the Commonwealth’s past still resonate today. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging history to make informed decisions for the future.
The global movement for former colonial powers like Britain to address the legacy of slavery through reparations or other forms of redress has gained momentum, particularly among organizations such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union.
While some argue against reparations, claiming that countries should not be held accountable for historical wrongs, supporters of reparations point to the lasting impact of slavery, which has contributed to widespread racial inequality.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, also in attendance at the summit, has rejected calls for reparations and refused to apologize for the country’s historical involvement.
Following their time in Samoa, King Charles and Queen Camilla concluded a six-day tour of Australia, where they were warmly welcomed by crowds at the Sydney Opera House. Charles also met with Indigenous elders in Sydney, following an incident where he was confronted by an Indigenous senator in Canberra.