Fresh discussions on reparations for slavery and colonialism are gaining momentum as Caribbean and African leaders press Europe to confront its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring legacy of racism and inequality.
The talks aim to tackle historic injustices suffered by African populations and their continuing impact, including systemic discrimination, economic marginalisation, and underdevelopment tied to centuries of exploitation.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) — a bloc of 15 nations — is leading one of the most advanced reparation campaigns. Its official plan calls for:
- Formal apologies from former colonial powers
- Debt relief and development support
- Educational initiatives, including curricula on slavery and colonial history
- Financial compensation for the descendants of enslaved Africans
Alongside this, the African Union (AU) is reportedly drawing up a similar strategy, signalling growing coordination between the Caribbean and African continent on the issue.
Despite this rising pressure, many European leaders remain hesitant. Figures such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have resisted direct conversations on reparations, stressing the need to “look to the future” rather than negotiate compensation for historical crimes.
Even so, the tone has shifted slightly. At the most recent Commonwealth summit, member states formally acknowledged the need to start conversations on reparations and historical justice, stopping short of specific commitments but opening a door that had long been kept shut.
Public awareness, however, remains limited. A 2025 survey commissioned by The Repair Campaign found that 85% of people in Britain were unaware that the UK forcibly transported more than 3 million Africans to the Caribbean during the transatlantic slave trade. Campaigners say this knowledge gap helps explain public resistance to reparations and underlines the need for better education on colonial history.
For CARICOM, the African Union, and global reparations advocates, the goal is not only compensation, but also a reframing of history — one that recognises the scale of the crimes committed and addresses the structural inequalities that continue to flow from them today.
