UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said the concept of reparations for former colonial nations affected by slavery “is not about the transfer of cash.”
In his first comments since 56 Commonwealth leaders signed a joint letter in October stating that “the time has come” for a conversation about reparations, Lammy told the BBC that this was not “the debate people are wanting to have.”
“I’m keen to emphasise that there’s a sort of simplistic press debate in part of the media that thinks this is about the transfer of cash,” he said.
Speaking in Nigeria, Lammy indicated that the UK wanted to focus on developing relations with the continent based on the sharing of skills and science.
“It’s not about the transfer of cash, particularly at a time of a cost of living crisis around much of the globe, and certainly in the UK,” Lammy said. “That is not the debate I think that people want to have. They’re wanting to think about the future.”
Speaking in Lagos, a Nigerian port city once central to the transatlantic slave trade, during his first visit to Africa as foreign secretary, Lammy acknowledged that the UK had previously apologized for its role in slavery.
He stated, “When we look back on that period, there were many horrors. It was horrific and horrendous in many, many ways. And there are scars that were left, and let’s be clear – I am the descendant of enslaved people, so I recognize that. When we were last in government, we said sorry, and we commemorated the abolition of the slave trade.”
Lammy acknowledged that Caribbean nations had made a 10-point plan for reparatory justice, but he believed that developing nations would benefit as part of that through initiatives such as the transfer of technical skills and scientific expertise from the UK.
The foreign secretary’s remarks on reparations follow discussions on the issue last month at CHOGM in Samoa. The UK has faced growing calls from Commonwealth leaders to pay reparations for the country’s role in the slave trade.
Before the Samoa summit, Downing Street had stated that the issue was not due for discussion, but Sir Keir Starmer later signed a document calling for talks on “reparatory justice” alongside other Commonwealth leaders.
Lammy spoke to the BBC at the beginning of a trip during which he will visit Nigeria and South Africa, two of the continent’s biggest economies.
He said he wanted to launch a five-month consultation period with African nations.
“I think the UK needs a new approach to Africa,” the foreign secretary said. “Much has changed since the last time my party was in government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, when there was a huge commitment to the continent, but it was largely based on development.
“The dynamism and energy here in Lagos, along with the potential for growth and opportunity in a range of areas, present so much potential.
“What I hope over the coming months and years is that the UK can partner more here in Nigeria and on the continent.
“And that the UK is present once more, because what I’ve heard is that the UK has stepped back somewhat over the last few years, as reflected in our trading figures.
“There’s much that I think we can do together over the coming months and years.”
Asked about other issues relating to Africa, Lammy said the conflict in Sudan was of “tremendous concern” and noted that the UK planned to make that a priority during November when it has the rotational presidency of the United Nations Security Council.
He stated: “The loss of life is unbelievable and outstrips other conflicts around the world. The humanitarian catastrophe that has been unfolding for many months is something of tremendous concern.
“We have just become the chair of the UN Security Council, and I intend to make Sudan my priority over the course of this next month. I will be in New York raising the issues – both the humanitarian issues and how we can bring the parties together to try and reach a peaceful outcome.
“It’s been a subject of huge concern that Sudan has not commanded the international attention it requires, given not just the suffering involved, but also the way it is frankly unpicking stability in the wider region, which will have huge implications if Sudan becomes a totally failed state.
“Huge implications not just for East Africa and the African continent, but of course for Europe as well.”
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