Sorrow Is Not Justice: How the Global South Is Demanding Western Accountability for Slavery
Sorrow Is Not Justice: How the Global South Is Demanding Western Accountability for Slavery
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In 1834 the British Empire abolished slavery. But here is what is often left out: the British government did not compensate the enslaved. Now, Jamaica demands reparations from King Charles III—and the Global South is watching. This episode unpacks the legal, moral, and economic forces behind a movement refusing apology as a substitute for justice.
When the British government abolished slavery, it did not compensate the enslaved. This is the backdrop against which Jamaica has now formally petitioned King Charles III for reparations. This is not a symbolic gesture, it is a legal and moral challenge to the foundation of the modern global order. On Pan-African Frequency, Dr. Sultan Juma Kakuba, a prominent Ugandan scholar, and political scientist talked about the significance of this moment, and how Jamaica's petition is not an isolated act of grievance—it is part of a coordinated, Pan-African and Global South movement that has been decades in the making.
He also addressed why Western powers resist accountability, not simply because of the financial cost, but because reparations would force a fundamental reordering of global power relations, and the expression of "sorrow" by former colonial masters, without restitution is not justice.
He also addressed why Western powers resist accountability, not simply because of the financial cost, but because reparations would force a fundamental reordering of global power relations, and the expression of "sorrow" by former colonial masters, without restitution is not justice.
“Jamaica's initiative, I would say that it really matters a lot, not simply because of the claim itself, but because it has become part and a broader space for linking the Caribbean countries and Africa. I think this is a very good development. It is an issue that can be put on the agenda and pursued to its logical conclusion. Because when you look at, for example, African Union, it has been increasingly trying to mount pressure for justice in a broader perspective, looking at the historical injustice that was meted on African people [....] expressing sorrow to me, I would think that it is just an emotional response to any issue that happened which you cannot dispute because that apology clearly demonstrates or it goes on to acknowledge the wrong doing, and accepting some degree of responsibility [...] But the good question is for us to try to understand whether really it [Britain] recognizes the responsibility and it is prepared to participate in repairing the damage that they made. To me, an apology can be meaningful if it is really accompanied by truth-telling,” Dr. Kakuba explained.
To find out what else our guest had to say, tune in to the Pan-African podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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