Commonwealth’s next chief will be ‘open to British slavery reparations’

Joshua Setipa, a former trade minister for Lesotho who is one of the three hopefuls, has said he supports “the idea of reparative justice”. He told the Financial Times that it was time for the UK to “acknowledge injustices committed during slavery and colonialism” and their ongoing impact. Rather than writing “cheques”, he said Britain and other Western nations should instead support more cheap loans and grants to developing countries. Shirley Botchwey, Ghana’s foreign minister who is also running for secretary-general, has previously said that “financial reparations is good”. She said: “Whether or not the Commonwealth has a role to play will depend on the heads of government, who will give the secretary-general her marching orders.” Mamadou Tangara, The Gambia’s foreign minister and the final candidate, had in the past added: “I am fully in support of reparatory justice. “The Commonwealth can use its convening power to facilitate the dialogue and make it happen.” Barrage of calls for reparations One of the three will be elected to replace Lady Scotland, a former attorney general, who has come to the end of her eight-year term in office. Sir Keir can expect to face a barrage of demands for reparations from Commonwealth...