National

Reparations Committee Outlines the Case for Historical Justice

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Reparations Committee Chair Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean says King Charles III’s acknowledgment of slavery during his visit to The Bahamas fell short of accountability, renewing calls for a formal apology and meaningful reparatory justice, including debt cancellation.

Published

10 hours ago

October 29, 2026

Chinasa Outten

NASSAU , BAHAMAS- The King’s historic visit brought royal pageantry to the capital, but also reignited a longstanding debate over the legacy of slavery and British colonial rule.

On Tuesday, members of the Rastafarian community protested near Clifford Park, calling for reparations and a formal apology.

The demonstration came as the country reflected on a painful history, with slavery abolished in the British Empire in 1834, but enslaved people in The Bahamas not gaining full freedom until 1838.

During his address at a youth rally on Clifford Park, King Charles III acknowledged that history, speaking of the darkness, great suffering and injustices of the past.

But while appearing on Jerome Sawyer’s On the Record, Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean, Chairperson of the Bahamas National Reparations Committee, says that acknowledgment was not enough.

Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean – Chairperson, The Bahamas National Reparations Committee

“Okay, I know that a lot of people feel like, you know, well, he said something. But the reality is that he acknowledged, but he didn’t acknowledge that his family are the people responsible for that element of darkness or that grave time in history.”

Campbell-Dean also questioned what The Bahamas gained from the royal visit, arguing that symbolic gestures must be accompanied by meaningful action.

Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean – Chairperson, The Bahamas National Reparations Committee

“What benefit do we have from this man coming to our country? We know what we are giving, but what are we getting, you know? And if all that we’re getting is an opportunity to smile and wave and say hello, I think for a lot of Bahamians that just wasn’t worth it.”

And when asked what reparations could look like, Campbell-Dean pointed to debt cancellation.

Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean – Chairperson, The Bahamas National Reparations Committee

“If we incurred four billion dollars in debt for one hurricane, right? And then we have to pay interest for these climate justice tragedies that we are incurring but we’re not really the cause of, right? Wipe that debt out.”

And as the King’s visit ends, the call for accountability and meaningful reparatory justice continues.