Edo Commissioner Challenges Badenoch on Slavery Apology and Reparations
Washington Osifo critiques Kemi Badenoch's stance on historical responsibility for the slave trade.
1Critique of Historical Doctrine
Washington Osifo, Edo State Education Commissioner, published a critique titled 'The Victim Who Is Asked to Apologise to Her Rapist.' He challenges UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s stance against formal apologies for the transatlantic slave trade. Osifo argues her position distorts history by equating African collaborators with European institutional architects.
2Distinction in Historical Roles
Osifo acknowledges that some African rulers participated in the trade but argues this does not equate to authorship. He emphasizes that European powers created the international market, supplied ships, and established the legal structures for racialized slavery. He maintains that participation under duress does not equal the creation of systemic exploitation.
3Compensation and State Responsibility
The commissioner highlights that the 1833 Slavery Abolition Act compensated slave owners, not the enslaved. Britain paid £20 million to owners, a debt repaid by taxpayers until 2015. Osifo invokes the principle of state continuity, arguing Britain remains responsible for the wealth and institutional assets accumulated through these historical actions.
4Defining Reparative Justice
Osifo argues that reparations should extend beyond financial payments. He proposes a broader framework including formal apologies, the return of looted African artifacts, and investments in education and healthcare. He insists these measures are necessary to address the enduring consequences of historical injustice and to provide guarantees against future exploitation.
5Badenoch's Stance on Responsibility
Kemi Badenoch, who has Nigerian heritage, argues that modern British taxpayers should not be held responsible for events occurring generations ago. She emphasizes Britain’s leading role in ending the slave trade as a reason to avoid apologies. She previously criticized Britain for abstaining from a UN resolution regarding reparatory justice.
6Broader Political Context
The debate follows a UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the slave trade as a crime against humanity, which Nigeria supported. While some British figures like Prime Minister Andy Burnham have expressed openness to an apology, financial reparations remain a contentious issue. Badenoch maintains that historical blame should be shared among participants.
7Personal and Political Tensions
Osifo suggests that Badenoch’s political ambitions within the Conservative Party influence her defense of Britain’s historical record. Badenoch, born in England and raised in Lagos, has stated she no longer identifies as Nigerian, despite her heritage. The commissioner’s critique highlights the ongoing friction between historical memory and contemporary political identity.
8Significance of the Debate
This exchange underscores the persistent global demand for reparatory justice from African and Caribbean nations. By challenging the narrative of shared blame, Osifo seeks to reframe the discourse around systemic responsibility. The disagreement reflects deeper tensions regarding how nations reconcile their colonial pasts with modern moral and economic obligations.