The summit (CHOGM) is being held in Rwanda, which joined the Commonwealth in 2009, at a time when engagement with 54 member states is undergoing deep questions, in a period of transition to a British monarchy and colonialism. On the question of the past. ,
Of the 14 member states, Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state, and some of them have made no secret of their desire to distance themselves from the monarchy in the wake of Barbados, which officially declared a republic in November 2021 .
“In the middle of the Commonwealth are countries that have constitutional ties with my family, some that continue to have them and more and more that don’t”Said Prince Charles, who represents his mother Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Commonwealth.
“I wish to make it clear, as I have said earlier, that the constitutional rule of each member, whether republic or monarchy, is entirely a matter for the decision of each member state.”He insisted in front of dozens of leaders, including Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Heirs to the British Crown also acknowledged that the Commonwealth’s roots “Dive deep into the most painful time in our history”, “I cannot describe the depth of my personal grief over the suffering of so many people, as I continue to deepen my understanding of the lasting effects of slavery”Did he announce?
“Partiality”
CHOGM is in the midst of controversy over a deal to deport illegal migrants from the United Kingdom to Rwanda, which has drawn outrage from several human rights NGOs, the United Nations and the Anglican Church.
According to the British press, Prince Charles also privately expressed his disagreement with the device, which he described as “terrible”, The British government has promised to continue with the program of deportation, which was blocked by a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) at the last minute on 14 June.
Prince Charles met with Boris Johnson on Friday morning. But the British prime minister indicated he would not detail the content of the interview. “There are a lot of prejudices about Rwanda that should be removed”He reiterated to British media on Friday.
Boris Johnson praised “Great Step” Created by Rwanda, a small country in East Africa that has experienced spectacular economic growth since the end of the 1994 genocide. However, he is regularly criticized for his human rights policy.
Upstream of CHOGM, 23 NGOs recalled in an open letter “serious concern” on this subject. At the same time, the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo called on the United Kingdom to condemn Rwanda, which it alleges.“assault” in eastern Congo and to support the armed group M23.
Togo and Gabon Unified
CHOGM, which is due to expire on Saturday, should see the unification of two new members, Togo and Gabon. “New nations are looking to join, which shows everything we need to know about the health and vitality of our Commonwealth”Boris Johnson said.
The summit is also expected to result in fierce competition for the leadership of the organization. Jamaican Kamina Johnson Smith is challenging Britain’s Patricia Scotland for the position of secretary general, despite a convention of the organization which provides that the incumbent should run unopposed for a second term.
Ms Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s foreign secretary, has the backing of the UK, who has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Ms Scotland’s management, who also has Dominican nationality.