Africans Rising Laugh Off King Charles’ Regret and Sorrow Expression for Colonial Atrocities

By Samuel Ouma

The Pan-African movement, Africans Rising, has dismissed King Charles III's regrets and sorrowful remarks for the wrongdoings committed by the British government against Kenyans during their struggle for self-rule.

King Charles III, who is in Kenya for a 4-day visit, made the remarks on Tuesday, October 31, during a state banquet hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto.

The king stated in his address that there is "no excuse" for the "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence" perpetrated against Kenyans during the colonial period.

He urged Britain and Kenya to address historical injustices honestly and openly.

However, the movement termed the king’s expression of regret as meaningless without apology and reparations for the crimes they committed.

"The British colonial empire exploited, pillaged our lands, raped our women, killed our children and dehumanized our peoples both in and out of Africa. The horrors of slavery and its enduring legacy in the institutions, structures and systems at the local and global levels are a constant reminder of the historical crimes of empire," said the Africans Rising.

According to the movement, these crimes will never be forgotten, even if the British government offered tokens to what it termed a puppet regime to hoodwink its citizens.

Africans Rising wrote a letter through the #ReRightHistory campaign to the late Queen Elizabeth, mother and predecessor of King Charles, in 2020.

In the letter, Africans Rising demanded the acknowledgement and acceptance of responsibility for harm and human cost of slavery and colonialism, reparations for historical injustices and slavery and the return of the stolen artworks.

It also demanded an apology from the British government for the atrocities they committed against Kenyans.

The movement told the king to address the demand in the letter or risk facing resistance.

“Addressing these demands will be a good first step towards a future of mutual respect and cordial relations. Otherwise this visit is just another ruse to advance the interests of the empire and continue the exploitation, which we on the other hand,” it added.