Slavery reparations not about cash transfers

British Foreign Secretary David Lamy said the concept of reparations to former colonial countries affected by slavery “has nothing to do with cash transfers”.

He made his first comments since a joint letter signed by 56 Commonwealth leaders in October. Conversation on reparations ‘The time has come’Lamy told the BBC that this was not “the debate that people want to have”.

“I would like to emphasize that there is a simplistic debate in some parts of the media that this is about cash transfers,” he said.

Speaking in Nigeria, Lamy said the UK wanted to develop its relationship with the continent based on sharing skills and science.

“This is not about cash transfers, especially at a time of cost of living crisis in much of the world, particularly the UK,” Lamy said.

“I don’t think this is a debate that people want to have. They want to think about the future.”

Speaking in the Nigerian port city of Lagos, once the center of the transatlantic slave trade, during his first visit to Africa as foreign secretary, Lamy said Britain had been right to apologize for its role in slavery.

He said: “When we look back at that period, there was a lot of horror. It was horrific in many ways. It left scars, and let’s be clear – I’m a descendant of enslaved people, so I acknowledge at this point.

“When we last came to power we apologized and commemorated the abolition of the slave trade.”

Lamy acknowledged that Caribbean countries have developed a ten-point restorative justice plan.

But he said he believed developing countries would benefit through the transfer of technical skills and scientific expertise from the UK.

The Foreign Secretary’s comments on compensation came after the issue was discussed at CHOGM in Samoa last month.

Britain faces growing calls from Commonwealth leaders to pay reparations for its role in the slave trade.

Ahead of the Samoa summit, Downing Street said the issue should not be discussed, but Sir Keir Starmer later signed a document calling for talks on “compensatory justice” along with other Commonwealth leaders.

Lamy gave an interview to the BBC at the start of a trip that will see him visit Nigeria and South Africa, the continent’s two largest economies.

He said he hoped to launch a five-month consultation period with African countries.

“I think the UK needs a new approach to Africa,” the foreign secretary said.

“A lot has changed since the last time my party was in government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, when there were huge commitments to the continent, but they were mainly based on development.

“Lagos is full of energy and vitality. The potential for growth and opportunities in a range of sectors. The potential is huge.

“I hope that in the coming months and years the UK will be able to work even more together in Nigeria and across the African continent.

“The UK is showing up again because I understand that the UK has regressed a bit over the last few years and that’s reflected in our trade data.

“I think there’s a lot we can do together in the coming months and years.”

Asked about other issues related to Africa, Lamy said the conflict in Sudan was “very worrying” and said the UK planned to make it a priority during its presidency of the UN Security Council in November.

“The loss of life is incredible and exceeds other conflicts around the world,” he said.

“The humanitarian disaster that has lasted for several months is extremely worrying.

“We just became president of the United Nations Security Council and I intend to make Sudan a priority for the next month.

“I will be raising these issues in New York – including humanitarian issues and how we can bring the parties together to work toward a peaceful outcome.

“Sudan has not received widespread international attention, which has been a matter of great concern because it has not only caused suffering but frankly destabilized the wider region and would have huge ramifications if Sudan became a fully It is possible for failed states.

“This has a huge impact not only on East Africa and the African continent, but certainly on Europe.”