All three candidates vying to become the next secretary-general of the Commonwealth, a 56-nation organization led by Britain's King Charles,
have declared their support for reparations related to transatlantic slavery and colonialism.
The Commonwealth, originally formed from the British Empire, is one of the world’s largest international organizations, representing about 2.7 billion people. Its members include nations like Canada, India, 21 African countries, and Caribbean nations such as Barbados and Jamaica.
In 2022, King Charles expressed deep regret over slavery in a speech to Commonwealth leaders. He also endorsed research into the British monarchy's historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade. However, despite these acknowledgments, Britain, like many former colonial powers, has consistently refused calls for formal reparations.
The new Commonwealth leader, who will succeed Britain's Patricia Scotland, is set to be chosen at the upcoming heads of government meeting in Samoa this October.
During a recent debate held at London’s Chatham House, the three candidates—Mamadou Tangara from Gambia, Shirley Botchwey from Ghana, and Joshua Setipa from Lesotho—unanimously supported reparations.
"I stand for reparations," said Botchwey, Ghana’s foreign affairs minister, emphasizing that the Commonwealth could play a key role if member states requested a unified approach.
Setipa, a former trade and industry minister, went further, stating that he would act proactively on reparations if elected. "The Commonwealth has a long history of facilitating discussions about difficult issues," he said.
Tangara, a Gambian diplomat and politician, also expressed full support for reparations, but added that it was up to member states to drive the discussions, with the Commonwealth playing a facilitative role.
Both Botchwey and Setipa emphasized that reparations should not be limited to financial compensation. They suggested reparations could also address challenges like climate change and economic resilience, which they argued are part of the broader legacy of slavery and colonialism.
Addressing Historical Wrongs
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12.5 million Africans were captured and sold into slavery by European traders. Britain was one of the most active participants, transporting around 3.2 million people—second only to Portugal, which enslaved nearly 6 million.
While the debate over reparations for these historical injustices is contentious, the conversation has gained renewed urgency. Some institutions and nations have begun to acknowledge their involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
Ghana’s Botchwey has previously argued that public admissions of guilt and historical wrongdoing should serve as a foundation for calls for reparations. The Caribbean Community has already developed a 10-point reparations plan, which includes demands such as debt cancellation. Similarly, the African Union is working on a collective position regarding reparations, with Ghana playing a leading role.
Earlier this year, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also voiced support for reparations, suggesting they could help redress generations of exclusion and discrimination.