Commonwealth leaders concluded a week-long summit in Samoa with a call for meaningful discussions on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. In a joint statement, the 56 member nations emphasized that “the time has come for a meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.”
While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified that discussions were not about financial compensation, the push for reparatory justice is gaining momentum, particularly from the Caribbean Community and the African Union. The statement also referenced “blackbirding” — the practice of kidnapping or deceiving Pacific Islanders to work on plantations.
Professor Kingsley Abbott from the University of London hailed the statement as a potential breakthrough, saying it “wedges open the door for dialogue” on reparatory justice.
The summit also highlighted the urgent threat of climate change, with leaders expressing concern over rising temperatures and sea levels that threaten many low-lying Commonwealth nations.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a supporter of reparations for slavery and colonialism, was appointed as the Commonwealth’s new secretary-general, succeeding Patricia Scotland.
King Charles III, attending the summit with Queen Camilla, acknowledged the Commonwealth’s “painful” history, emphasizing the importance of understanding the past to shape the future.
The summit marks a significant moment for dialogue on reparations, laying the foundation for further discussions on historical injustices and the impacts of climate change.
