Leaders of Jamaica and Belize, Commonwealth countries of which Charles III is king, showed this Thursday, May 4, their desire to become republics, in interviews published two days before the coronation of the British sovereign.
” The time has come. Jamaica in Jamaican Hands », Jamaican Minister for Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte told Sky News. She said Kingston is considering holding a referendum on the issue as early as next year.
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In an interview with the newspaper The Guardian Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceño said he was « fort probable » that his country is the next country to become a republic, castigating in particular the attitude of London vis-à-vis its slavery past.
The announcement comes at a bad time for Charles III – king of Jamaica and Belize like 13 other kingdoms around the world – two days before his coronation with great pomp in London.
“Jamaicans do not identify with Charles III”
The government of Belize passed a law last year aimed at creating a constitutional commission which must study several avenues of reform by next year, including the transformation of the country into a republic.
“Many Jamaicans had a warm affection for Queen Elizabeth II”explained Marlene Malahoo Forte, recalling that the monarch was already on the throne when Jamaica became independent in 1962. “But they don’t identify with King Charles. He is the most foreign to us”she added.
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Elizabeth II, Queen of a Century
Referring to the relationship ” complex “ between the two countries, Marlene Malahoo Forte felt that becoming a republic came down “to say goodbye to a form of government that is linked to a painful past of colonization and slave trade”.
During a trip by Prince William to the Caribbean in early 2022, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness had already judged ” inevitable “ his country’s transition to a republican regime.
William and his wife Kate’s tour had resulted in a difficult confrontation marred by protests, and the couple were called upon to apologize for the UK’s slavery past.
Rishi Sunak urged to apologize
It is also the memory of slavery that the Prime Minister of Belize highlights, vigorously criticizing the refusal of his British counterpart Rishi Sunak to apologize for the role of the United Kingdom in the triangular trade.
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“I think he has a moral responsibility to be able to offer, at least, an apology”he said, considering that“he should have a better appreciation (of the subject) because of his genealogy”.
The royal family has never formally issued an apology, Charles confining himself to calling slavery a “terrible atrocity”while William had expressed his “deep sadness”.
Questioned last week in Parliament, Rishi Sunak, of Indian origin, indicated that he would not apologize on behalf of the United Kingdom. “I think we should focus, of course, on understanding our history in all its components, and not deviating from it, but making sure that today we have an inclusive and tolerant society for people from all backgrounds. »said Rishi Sunak.
Republican tendencies are increasingly strong in certain Commonwealth kingdoms, some of which want to follow the example of Barbados, which became a republic in 2021.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda also announced his intention to organize a referendum on the subject “in the next three years”.
