UK Overseas Secretary David Lammy has mentioned the concept that of reparations for former colonial countries suffering from slavery “is not about the transfer of cash”.

In his first feedback since 56 Commonwealth leaders in October signed a remark pronouncing “the time has come” for a dialog about reparations, Lammy instructed the BBC that used to be now not “the debate people are wanting to have”.

“I’m keen to emphasise that there’s a sort of simplistic press debate in part of the media that thinks this is about the transfer of cash,” he mentioned.

Talking in Nigeria, Lammy mentioned rather the United Kingdom sought after to appear to creating family members with the continent in keeping with the sharing of talents and science.

“It’s not about the transfer of cash, particularly at a time of a cost of living crisis around much of the globe, and certainly in the UK,” Lammy said.

“That is not the debate I think that people are wanting to have. They’re wanting to think about the future.”

Speaking in Lagos, a Nigerian port city once central to the transatlantic slave trade, during his first visit to Africa as foreign secretary, Lammy said it was right the UK had previously apologised for its role in slavery.

He said: “When we look back on that period, there were many horrors. It was horrific and horrendous in many, many ways. And there are scars that were left, and let’s be clear – I am the descendant of enslaved people, so I recognise that.

“When we were last in government, we said sorry, and we commemorated the abolition of the slave trade.”

Lammy acknowledged that Caribbean nations had made a 10-point plan for reparatory justice.

But he said he believed developing nations would benefit as part of that through things such as the transfer of technical skills and science expertise from the UK.

The foreign secretary’s remarks on reparations follow the issue’s discussion last month at CHOGM in Samoa.

The UK has faced growing calls from Commonwealth leaders to pay reparations for the country’s role in the slave trade.

Before the Samoa summit, Downing Street had said the issue was not due for discussion but Sir Keir Starmer later signed a document calling for talks on “reparatory justice” alongside other Commonwealth leaders.

Lammy spoke to the BBC at the beginning of a trip in which he will visit Nigeria and South Africa – among the continent’s biggest economies.

He said he wanted to launch a five-month consultation period with African nations.

“I think the UK needs a new approach to Africa,” the foreign secretary said.

“Much has changed since the last time my party was in government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, where there was a huge commitment to the continent but it was largely based on development.

“The dynamism, the energy here in Lagos. The potential for growth and opportunity in a range of areas. There is so much potential.

“What I hope over the coming months and years is that the UK can partner more, here in Nigeria and on the continent.

“And that the UK is present once more, because what I’ve heard is that the UK has stepped back somewhat over the last few years, it reflects on our trading figures.

“There’s much that I think we can do together over the coming months and years.”

Requested about alternative problems when it comes to Africa, Lammy mentioned the battle in Sudan used to be of “tremendous concern” and mentioned the United Kingdom deliberate to assemble {that a} precedence all through November, when it has the rotational presidency of the United International locations Safety Council.

He mentioned: “The lack of generation is fantastic and outstrips alternative conflicts all over the world.

“The humanitarian catastrophe that has now been unfolding for many months is something of tremendous concern.

“We have just become the chair of the UN Security Council and I intend to make Sudan my priority over the course of this next month.

“I can be in Pristine York elevating the problems – each the humanitarian problems, but additionally how we carry the events in combination to struggle and succeed in a calm consequence.

“It’s been a topic of excess fear that Sudan has now not commanded the global consideration that it calls for, given the best way that it’s now not simply the struggling concerned, however the best way that it’s frankly unpicking balance within the wider area, and may have excess implications probably if Sudan is to be a a wholly failed atmosphere.

“Huge implications not just for east Africa and the African continent, but of course for Europe as well.”