The death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 2022 has caused an international outcry. The Queen had been on the throne for more than 70 years and was a globally recognized figure. International public perception of her is also variable, reflecting the Queen’s influence. This suggests that different elements need to be considered, such as UK politics, its political relationship with the monarchy and the Commonwealth of Nations. King Charles III, who ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, was recently coronated and has also become the leader of the Commonwealth of Nations. The King has been vocal and outspoken on many political issues, notably the climate crisis. It is therefore likely that the UK will be active in international affairs within the limits of its customs and as required. When international relations and the British royal family’s connection to the United Kingdom are considered, and the Commonwealth of Nations is added to the picture, African countries come to the fore. The role of the British Empire in the slave trade and the institution of slavery, the history of colonialism, the presence of African members in the Commonwealth of Nations, and the characterization of some of the current relations between African countries and the United Kingdom as neo-colonialism require an examination of these relations and the British Royal family during the examination of these relations.
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The passing of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 2022 caused a great international outcry. The Queen had been on the throne for more than 70 years and was a globally recognized figure. The perception of the international community is also variable, reflecting the Queen’s influence. This suggests that different elements need to be considered, such as UK politics, its political relationship with the monarchy and the Commonwealth of Nations. King Charles III, who ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, was recently coronated and has also become the leader of the Commonwealth of Nations. The King has been vocal and outspoken on many political issues, notably the climate crisis. It is therefore likely that the UK will be active in international affairs within the limits of its customs and as required. When international relations and the British royal family’s connection to the United Kingdom are considered, and the Commonwealth of Nations is added to the picture, African countries come to the fore. The role of the British Empire in the slave trade and the institution of slavery, the history of colonialism, the presence of African members in the Commonwealth of Nations, and the fact that some of the current relations between African countries and the United Kingdom are characterized as neocolonialism necessitate the examination of these relations and the British Royal family during the examination of these relations. The United Kingdom and Colonial Rule the United Kingdom has been one of the most powerful Western countries in terms of colonial rule in Africa. It is possible to say that the most strategic regions were selected and colonized by London. Sudan and Nigeria can be given as examples of British colonial rule. In both colonial territories, the principles of divide and rule and indirect rule were adopted. These principles and related policies were effective during the colonial period and are still effective today. In Sudan, for example, a distinction was made between the northern and southern regions. Transit from the south to the north was prohibited at times. Exclusionary and discriminatory policies towards both regions are among the reasons why Sudan experienced two civil wars after gaining independence. In Nigeria, the south is more developed than the north of the country. The policies implemented by the United Kingdom were effective in the emergence of this picture. However, the policies pursued after the end of colonialism and independence could not eliminate the differences between the regions. The continued shaping of politics according to ethnic identity has been instrumental in the emergence of the terrorist organization Boko Haram, its recruitment of members and its ability to operate. It is observed that the United Kingdom has adopted a different stance in its African policy. For instance, in the last years of Tony Blair’s premiership, relations with African countries were prioritized and normative and strategic policies were pursued. However, in recent years, with the impact of Brexit, it can be said that Africa’s place in British foreign policy has diminished. However, trade relations and investments continue to be influential in the relations. The UK also prioritizes the geographies of China and India. As the UK lost its international influence and power after the Second World War and preferred to integrate with Europe, its relations with African countries declined. The strategy of the 2010s also points to this picture. This has become more evident as states such as Turkey, Russia and China have increased their presence in Africa while the UK has lost its influence. However, the UK has an important diplomatic, political, economic and cultural tool: The Commonwealth of Nations. The 56-member organization includes states from Africa, and new accessions from the continent are seen as an acknowledgement by some countries in the continent that the organization has a functional role. The last members from the continent were Gabon and Togo in 2022. Ghana, as the first member state from the African continent, played an important role in the new concept of the organization. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s prominent and powerful leader, who was identified with Pan-Africanism, preferred his country to become a member of the organization. The emergence of the Commonwealth of Nations on the world political stage dates to 1887. It was established to unite the former British territories.
It has been an organization reporting directly to the King or Queen. The Commonwealth represents about one third of the world’s population. It has members not only from one region but also from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. It is therefore an organization of international scope. It is mostly composed of former British colonies. Although the Commonwealth is mainly composed of former British colonies, Francophone countries such as Rwanda have recently chosen to join the organization. Some of the attractions of membership of the Commonwealth are that it offers a certain amount of prestige to members and the opportunity to integrate new members. Cooperation in the fields of education, sports and culture is encouraged, as is the development of trade and thus commercial relations between members. Acceptance of the fundamental principles of the Commonwealth’s Charter, such as democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, non-discrimination and separation of powers, is a mandatory condition for becoming and remaining a member of the organization. These core values are included in the organization’s values, along with the embrace of democracy, political tolerance and accountability. Illegitimate postponement of elections, human rights violations and unconstitutional change of governments are recognized as violations of the principles of the Commonwealth. Reforming the electoral system and ensuring a democratic transition process are also among the means of assistance/support of the Commonwealth to its members. Since 1991, more than 10 African members of the organization have switched from a single-party system to a multi-party system. The addition of new members has shown that the Commonwealth is a changing and transforming organization. Conjunctural changes such as the liquidation of colonialism, the establishment of new states in Asia and Africa, and the end of the Cold War have also been effective in the transformation of the organization. Therefore, the fact that Ghana joined the Commonwealth of Nations from Africa has made it a multiracial and multicultural organization. However, the acceptance of Ghana’s membership to the Commonwealth was not an easy and ordinary process for London. It was feared that South Africa’s reaction and the rejection of Nkrumah would cause a backlash from Asian members of the Commonwealth. The accession of members from Asia and Africa led to the abandonment and transformation of the British identity of the organization. With subsequent membership, Africa now constitutes the largest regional organization in the Commonwealth. Given the colonial past of the United Kingdom, it is useful to consider African states and public opinion differently from other members of the Commonwealth. Demands for reparations and apologies for the slave trade and the history of colonialism are still being voiced by some today. Therefore, in connection with this picture, some countries and societies in Africa are making various comments on the future of the Commonwealth of Nations. The reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is important for the Commonwealth. This is because the Queen was in the leadership position during the period of decolonization. The attempt to ensure the unity and integrity of the Commonwealth was among Queen Elizabeth II’s duties and responsibilities. Therefore, the Queen’s death was perceived as a development against the Commonwealth. The accession of King Charles III to the leadership of the Commonwealth led to a renewed questioning of the validity of the organization.
Emphasis was placed on relations with African countries. King Charles III was closely involved with the Commonwealth of Nations when he was Prince of Wales. Therefore, he has knowledge and experience about the organization. Moreover, unlike Queen Elizabeth II, he publicly expressed his regret for the history of slavery and colonization. He added that the organization aims to establish peace, democracy and prosperity. King Charles III’s statements are understandable considering the demands of some segments in African countries for apologies and reparations for colonialism and slavery. In addition, unlike the Queen, and in defiance of UK convention, King Charles III can make political comments. His statements on the refugee deal between Rwanda and the United Kingdom can be given as an example in this context. Therefore, the reactions of African members to the politics of King Charles III and the future of the Community have been a matter of curiosity. Reactions have been of two different dimensions.
From the leadership level, criticism of both the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III was not reported in the international media. The presidents of Kenya and Nigeria offered their condolences to Queen Elizabeth II, describing her as an icon. President William Ruto of Kenya said that Queen Elizabeth II had ensured the development and evolution of the Commonwealth, noting that the organization had become a multidimensional entity and that its progress in the socio-economic sphere could not be denied. However, there has been criticism of the Monarchy, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth from some sections of African public opinion. In Ghana, for example, there has been a demand for reparations for the UK’s role in colonialism and enslavement.
Some in Kenya have reminded the monarchy of its responsibility for the suffering of the colonial period. Under the leadership of King Charles III, it can be said that the organization may enter a wave of change and transformation again. In this process, African countries are expected to continue to play a role. The first international visit after the King’s accession to the throne was made by Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the Republic of South Africa. The fact that the Organization and the Apartheid Regime had strained relations highlights the Republic of South Africa’s relationship with both the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Kingdom. The imposition of sanctions on South Africa during the apartheid period created controversy within the organization and the process resulted in South Africa’s withdrawal from the organization. Under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, however, South Africa became a member again and the change-transformation process of the Commonwealth continued. In the reign of King Charles III, relations with African countries will continue to be on the agenda of the Commonwealth. Topics such as sensitivity to the climate crisis are among the common agenda of African countries and the Commonwealth. Since its establishment, the Commonwealth has been constantly questioned and criticized. In the context of the conjuncture and the influence of King Charles III, it is thought that the process of change in the organization will continue. The special attention paid to the Commonwealth and its members at the coronation ceremony and the renewal of the United Kingdom’s ties with the organization can be considered as signs of King Charles III’s attitude towards the organization. These inquiries also included the comparison of King Charles III with his mother. In addition to conjunctural differences, there is a difference between the responsibilities of King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II due to their personal and political differences. King Charles III publicly shares his views on political matters. In the Commonwealth of Nations, King Charles III has been an active figure. And unlike Queen Elizabeth II, he has shown an awareness of some of the needs of the Commonwealth and its members even before he took the throne. He acknowledged the role of the United Kingdom in the history of colonialism and slavery, while expressing regret. This was a first for the organization. When the history of the Commonwealth is examined, it is seen that such innovations led to changes and transformations in the organization. In other words, the accession of King Charles III to the throne and the leadership of the Commonwealth could be the beginning of a new era for the organization. There could be a shift in relations with African members, as well as prominent engagement on various international political issues, notably climate change.
