APIA, Samoa, CMC- Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis called for “a real dialogue about how we address these historical wrongs” after the 56 Commonwealth nations collectively agreed on the need to discuss reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade.
The call was made at the just concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, where Commonwealth leaders issued a historic declaration agreeing to discussions on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, setting the stage for potential reparations talks. The meeting, with representatives from Britain and 55 other nations, many of whom are former colonies, discussed addressing historical injustices, including slavery, colonialism, and the lasting impact on Indigenous communities.
Davis, speaking to the French news agency AFP, hailed the decision as a meaningful step toward healing generational wounds left by slavery.
“The horrors of slavery left a deep, generational wound in our communities,” Davis said, highlighting the lasting impacts of the transatlantic slave trade on Bahamians and other Commonwealth citizens.
“The fight for justice and reparatory justice is far from over,” he continued, stressing the need for serious, honest conversations about reparations to address systemic inequalities resulting from colonialism.
The CHOGM declaration, dubbed the “Samoa Communique,” calls for “meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.”
Caribbean nations, along with other African and Pacific member states, have long been vocal about the need for colonial powers, particularly Britain, to acknowledge and atone for the brutal legacy of slavery.
The transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly displaced an estimated 10 to 15 million Africans over four centuries, left a lasting scar across the Caribbean, Africa, and other regions, with economic and social ramifications still felt today.
The discussions were intense and complex. Britain’s representatives, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed to strike a balance between acknowledging historical wrongs and avoiding explicit commitments to financial reparations. Starmer emphasized that the talks in Samoa focused on reconciliation, not monetary compensation.
“Our position is very, very clear about that,” he stated, underscoring that the discussions had been “very positive” despite the delicate nature of the issue.
Davis, however, underlined that the Caribbean’s push for reparatory justice was more than just a demand for compensation; it was a call to repair a centuries-old legacy of exploitation, inequality, and dispossession.
He expressed hope that the Commonwealth’s agreement to engage in these conversations would pave the way for future concrete actions and measures.
Beyond reparations, Commonwealth leaders reached a consensus on addressing climate change—another pressing issue for the Bahamas and other island nations.
Recognizing the existential threat of rising sea levels, the gathering adopted an “Ocean Declaration,” which aims to preserve current national maritime boundaries and protect at least 30% of marine areas and ecosystems by 2030.
Outgoing Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland remarked on the significance of securing marine boundaries “in perpetuity,” highlighting the declaration as a step toward environmental resilience.
The summit concluded with the election of Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the incoming Secretary-General. Known for advocating reparations and championing the Commonwealth free trade agreement, Botchwey celebrated the appointment as a call to action, expressing gratitude for the Commonwealth’s trust. “The work indeed lies ahead!” she affirmed, signaling her commitment to advancing the organization’s social justice and economic collaboration goals.
and then 