Africa demands repayments from British taxpayers for UK’s ‘historic crimes’

Africa’s EU equivalent has joined a campaign to claim reparations from British taxpayers for the UK’s so-called “historic crimes”.

The African Union demanded “meaningful reparations” from “former colonial powers” for exploiting its people and land during the 1800s.

The Union blamed “systemic injustice” ongoing in the context of imperialism during that time.

At a summit of African and Caribbean leaders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week, the head of the African Union Commission called for “reparatory justice and true liberation”.

The Djiboutian politician in charge, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, said that Africa and the Caribbean would work together to “honour our ancestors, to uplift our descendants and reclaim our shared destiny in freedom, justice and unity”.

Caribbean nations, alongside the African Union, will lay out their demands, expected to go into the demands.

The UK controlled a quarter of Africa at the peak of its Empire and could face demands for reparations for “colonialism” and ongoing “structural and systemic injustice”.

African kingdoms did profit from the slave trade, with King Ghezo of Dahomey (present-day Benin), who actively petitioned the British not to abolish the slave trade.

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The 15 member states of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have advocated for compensation for slavery for over a decade.

They have presented a “10-point plan” for reparations to former colonial powers. This plan includes demands for financial compensation, formal apologies, debt relief, and assistance with economic development and education.

Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, previously worked with Caricom when the demands were initially drafted in 2013.

The African Union is seeking to meet with the Caribbean Community to discuss policies for pursuing reparations.

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Multiple forms of injustice requiring reparations have been issued, including the “economic disparities between Africa and the Global North”, which are created by the “exploitative practices” of multinational corporations.

Within the context of climate change, the “industrialised nations in the Global North bear historical responsibility for environmental degradation.”

The African Union also insisted there should be the “returning of stolen artefacts to their rightful owners in African nations”.

Demands for reparations have been repeatedly rejected by successive Prime Ministers, including Sir Keir Starmer.

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There had been fears Labour would be more open to reparations, with insiders saying David Lammy would host a “Caricom forum” which would hear submissions about reparations.

This was pushed back, though, due to the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Mr Lammy previously voiced his support for reparations, saying it “is not about the transfer of cash”, but there are “other forms of non-financial reparatory justice too”.

He said: “There’s much that I think we can do together over the coming months and years.”

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