Kigali – Prince Charles told Commonwealth leaders on Friday that the choice to become a republic or abandon the queen as head of state was theirs alone, and expressed “personal sorrow” at Britain’s legacy of slavery.
The British heir to the throne addressed the opening of a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda as the host nation faced scrutiny over its rights record and a much-criticised migrant deal with the UK.
Charles is representing Queen Elizabeth II as the 54-nation club of mostly former British colonies grapples with questions over its future relevance and modern profile.
What a memorable night! We had the great pleasure of having HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attend the #RFW2022 finale yesterday, which featured collections from across the commonwealth. #CHOGM2022 #VisitRwanda @ClarenceHouse pic.twitter.com/4zDkM9fRQM
— CollectiveRW (@CollectiveRw) June 24, 2022
Republican movements are taking root in several Commonwealth nations and some are seeking reparations for colonial-era injustices like slavery.
ALSO READ | Commonwealth meets in shadow of migrant, rights row
Charles acknowledged the change underfoot and said the Commonwealth which represents one-third of humanity would always be “a free association of independent, self-governing nations”.
“I want to say clearly, as I have said before, that each member’s constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matter for each member country to decide,” he told an audience of presidents and prime ministers.
He also acknowledged that the roots of the Commonwealth which includes members nations from Europe to Africa, Asia, and the Americas “run deep into the most painful period of our history”.
“I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my understanding of slavery’s enduring impact,” he said.
Prince Charles tells Commonwealth leaders the potential of the family of the nations for good cannot be realised until they all ‘acknowledge the wrongs which have shaped our past’. pic.twitter.com/Hk487d6rik
— GB News (@GBNEWS) June 24, 2022
Migrant row
Charles earlier Friday met British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been defending his controversial deal to expel migrants from the UK thousands of miles away to Rwanda.
The scheme, which has stalled in the face of legal challenges, has been fiercely opposed by the UN, church leaders, rights groups, and reportedly Charles himself.
“I’m confident that the migration aspect will work very well,” Johnson told British media in Kigali.
“We’re going to continue with the policy and… the Rwanda partnership offers a good way forward.”
ALSO READ | Rwanda scrubs up for Commonwealth leaders, but not all celebrating
He earlier heaped praise on President Paul Kagame for the “leaps and bounds” achieved in Rwanda, despite widespread concerns over a lack of political freedom and civil liberties in the tiny African nation.
Rights groups have openly questioned the suitability of Rwanda hosting the Commonwealth, which has a charter that enshrines respect for democracy and human rights as core shared values.
More than 20 rights groups and civil society organisations issued a letter before the summit saying a “climate of fear” exists under Kagame, whose party came to power after the horrors of the 1994 genocide.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has also called on Britain to condemn Rwanda over its alleged “aggression” in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, where Kigali has been accused of stoking a rebellion.
Johnson himself is facing a political crisis back home after his Conservatives suffered a crushing defeat in parliamentary by-elections.
ALSO READ | UK’s Johnson defends migrant deal on Rwanda visit
Leadership battle
The Commonwealth’s closed-door summit meetings are missing some heavyweights, including Narendra Modi of India, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Australia’s Anthony Albanese who sent envoys in their place.
The body has come under scrutiny over its relevance but supporters say the expansion of membership to nations with no historic ties to Britain underscores its value and prestige.
The two newest members are Mozambique and host Rwanda, while west African states Togo and Gabon are expected to join the club at the summit.
ALSO READ | Campaigners urge Commonwealth to press Rwanda on human rights
“The fact of holding this meeting in Rwanda, the new member with no historical connection to the British empire, expresses our choice to continue re-imagining the Commonwealth for a changing world,” Kagame said.
The secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, was narrowly re-elected Friday for another two years at the helm after a bruising campaign.
She defeated challenger Kamina Johnson Smith of Jamaica, who had the backing of the UK, which had expressed dissatisfaction with Scotland’s stewardship of the organisation.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@fpr_team
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