Queen’s death ignites debate over Africa’s colonial past

Lagos, Nigeria – (AFP):

From Kenya and Nigeria to South Africa and Uganda, Queen Elizabeth’s death has met with an outpouring of official condolences, mourning and memories of her frequent visits to Africa during her seven decades on the throne.

However, the British monarch’s passing also revived a sensitive debate over Africa’s colonial past.

For some years, former colonial European countries have been under pressure to reckon with their colonial histories, atoning for past crimes and return “stolen” artefacts held for years in museums from London and Paris.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta were among those expressing condolences for the loss of an “icon.”

However, many Africans reflected more on the tragedies from colonial times, including events that occurred in the first decade of her rule.

Kenya gained independence from Britain in 1963, after an eight-year-long rebellion that left at least 10,000 people dead.

Britain agreed in 2013 to compensate over 5,000 Kenyans who had suffered abuse during the Mau Mau revolt, in a deal worth nearly 20 million pounds.

“The Queen leaves a mixed legacy of the brutal suppression of Kenyans in their own country and mutually beneficial relations,” wrote Kenya’s most popular newspaper.

Young Elizabeth was visiting Kenya in 1952 when she received the news of her father’s death, following which she became queen.

“What followed was a bloody chapter in Kenya’s history, with atrocities committed against a people whose only sin was to demand independence,” said the newspaper. “While the ties with Britain have been useful, it is difficult to forget those atrocities.”

Treasures, Biafra war 

Nigeria’s so-called “Benin Bronzes” — 16th to 18th century metal plaques and sculptures — were looted from the palace of the ancient Benin Kingdom and ended up in museums across the US and Europe.

While some praised Queen Elizabeth’s role leading up to Nigeria’s independence, others pointed out she was head of state when Britain supported the Nigerian army during the country’s civil war.

More than one million people died from 1967-1970, mostly from starvation and disease, during the conflict after ethnic Igbo officers declared independence in the southeast.

“If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government-sponsored genocide…you can keep wishing upon a star,” Nigerian-born US-based professor Uju Anya said, in a Twitter reference to the Biafra war that triggered fierce debate on social media.

Similar mixed reactions were expressed in South Africa, where President Cyril Ramaphosa called her an “extraordinary” figure.

However, the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) movement was more dismissive, recalling decades of apartheid, in which Britain, the former coloniser, was often passive.

“We do not mourn the death of Elizabeth, because to us her death is a reminder of a very tragic period in this country and Africa’s history,” EFF said in a statement.