On the Commonwealth Heads of Authorities Assembly (CHOGM) 2024 which happened in Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26, 2024, the UK reiterated its earlier stance that it will neither tender an apology nor make amends for the colonial crimes dedicated by Britain throughout the colonial interval. About 56 Commonwealth leaders and international consultants from companies and the personal sector participated in CHOGM, which was held in a Pacific Small Island Creating State for the primary time.
World leaders attending the assembly had hoped that Prince Charles would use his handle as a chance to supply an apology and focus on methods of pursuing reparatory justice for Britain’s wrongful previous. Nonetheless, their hopes have been dashed when Prince Charles said that, though he acknowledged the “painful facets” of Britain’s previous, the UK would neither apologize nor pursue justice for its colonial misdeeds.
This hardline stance by Britain is an insult to Africa. Why ought to Britain refuse to supply a easy apology or make amends for its monumental misdeeds throughout the colonial interval, particularly when Commonwealth leaders are advocating for mutual understanding and frameworks for unity and peace inside the Commonwealth? There will be no unity and peace with out justice. Unity and peace flourish the place justice is served. Britain can not deny Africa justice and nonetheless champion unity and peace.
It’s noteworthy that European colonialism systematically impoverished Africa. Britain exploited and expropriated Africa’s pure assets, uncooked supplies, and human capital. The British colonial authorities stole Africa’s most respected assets and artifacts, typically in change for trivial gadgets like mirrors or sugar. To today, elements of the British Royal Palace are nonetheless adorned with artifacts taken by British colonialists from the traditional Benin Empire. Britain has, the truth is, returned a few of these stolen artifacts to Benin Metropolis, Nigeria.
Maybe probably the most tragic facet of British colonialism was the transatlantic enslavement of Africans. With the collusion of unscrupulous conventional African leaders, tens of millions of Africans have been forcibly trafficked to the West Indies and different locations to work on sugar plantations. Different enslaved Africans have been despatched to their masters’ households, the place they have been subjected to unspeakable inhumane therapy. This financial exploitation and enslavement has stunted African improvement to today. The legacy of slavery and colonialism has contributed to racial inequality and discrimination that also have an effect on African and Afro-descendant communities.
Subsequently, the constant requires the UK to apologize for its colonial misdeeds and to enact justice are rational and justified. An official apology serves as a proper recognition of the brutal suppression of revolts, pressured relocation, and widespread exploitation suffered by African individuals. Recognizing this historical past honours the dignity of those that endured these hardships. Honest apologies can facilitate reconciliation and exhibit a real dedication to rebuilding respectful relationships with former colonies.
Whereas we agree with Prince Charles that the previous is irreversible and that an apology received’t erase it, an apology is commonly seen as a vital step towards constructing a future that acknowledges and seeks to redress historic wrongs. Apologies from former colonial powers replicate an acceptance of accountability.
Apologising additionally indicators the necessity for justice and fairness, reinforcing worldwide ideas of human rights. It could spark discussions on restitution, compensation, and insurance policies that would assist rectify a few of the lingering inequalities. That is why nations like Germany and Belgium have issued apologies or acknowledged historic wrongs in Namibia and Congo, respectively, setting precedents for the way former colonial powers can method their legacies. Former French President Jacques Chirac performed a big position in discussing the return of African artifacts taken throughout the colonial interval. Throughout his presidency (1995–2007), he acknowledged the necessity for African nations to have entry to their cultural heritage.
This led to a broader dialogue about restitution, though the precise return of artifacts gained vital momentum later. In 2017, President Emmanuel Macron formally pledged to return African artifacts to their nations of origin, together with Benin. In 2021, France returned 26 artifacts often called the “Abomey Treasures” to Benin. These artifacts had been taken from the Kingdom of Dahomey (now a part of Benin) by French colonial forces within the nineteenth century.
In an period when nations are being referred to as upon to reckon with their colonial pasts, Britain’s refusal to apologize and make amends for previous wrongs testifies to its resistance to accountability and social justice. This refusal impacts Britain’s fame as a proponent of human rights and justice, making it seem hypocritical on the world stage. Britain’s refusal to apologize has prices each internationally and domestically, straining relationships, undermining its fame, and perpetuating lingering resentment in former colonies. By refusing to take this step, Britain dangers long-term penalties that have an effect on its affect, partnerships, and skill to have interaction meaningfully in a globalized, interconnected world that values historic accountability.
Contemplating all this, Britain’s refusal to apologize or make amends is an afterthought. Confronted with growing calls to repatriate stolen artifacts, Britain has returned some gadgets looted by British forces in 1897 throughout a punitive expedition that led to the ransacking of the Kingdom of Benin, in present-day Nigeria. These artifacts, which embody plaques, sculptures, and ceremonial gadgets, have been taken to Britain and distributed to numerous museums and personal collections worldwide. This resolution is a part of a broader motion during which museums and collectors worldwide acknowledge the historic injustices related to colonial looting and take steps towards reparative actions by returning cultural heritage to its rightful communities.
The irony is that many African nations are but to be utterly free from varied types of neo-colonialism: paternalistic imperialism, political imperialism, financial imperialism, and cultural imperialism. Regardless of gaining political independence, many African states stay closely influenced by their former colonial masters via sure insurance policies, governance practices, and the necessity to request loans from the World Financial institution, Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF), and Bretton Woods establishments, which frequently include sturdy strings connected. This reliance creates an surroundings the place European nations (and now different international powers like China and the U.S.) can exert affect over African political and financial programs, successfully persevering with a type of management harking back to colonialism.
Nonetheless, this shouldn’t encourage any sense of Afro-pessimism. Regardless of the seemingly irreversible challenges going through Africa, it is going to rise once more to occupy its rightful place on the earth. To realize this, Eurocentrism ought to give method to Afrocentrism. African leaders ought to embrace a robust rule of regulation, free press, impartial judiciary programs, anti-corruption businesses, and powerful accountability mechanisms. These are foundational for resisting exterior pressures, guaranteeing that energy stays with the individuals quite than foreigners or neocolonialists.
