AFP
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News from the NOS•yesterday, 22:48
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Governments and heads of state from around the world came to London today to greet Queen Elizabeth. Among the mourners were several leaders from Commonwealth countries, such as President Suluhu of Tanzania, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada and President Ruto of Kenya.
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But within the confederation, made up mainly of former colonies, not everyone is mourning the death of the queen, considered a symbol of colonialism and slavery.
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India
One notable absentee from London today was Indian Prime Minister Modi. It is true that shortly after Elizabeth’s death he expressed his condolences to the royal family and announced a day of national mourning, but first he lashed out at British colonialism.
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Indian President Murmu came to London for the funeral, but his role in India is ceremonial in nature. The funeral was not even broadcast by major Indian TV stations.
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India was already independent when Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1953. Shortly thereafter, she was ousted from the post of head of state of the country, an example of Barbados followed last year.
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Indians watch a funeral recorded at an electronics store in Bangalore:
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EPA / JAGADEESH NV
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Jamaica
Several Caribbean countries have strongly hinted that they are planning the same, including Belize, Antigua, and Barbuda. Today was considered a national day of mourning in Jamaica, but the former colony isn’t exactly monarchical. The country makes no secret of its desire to become a republic.
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During a visit to heir William’s throne last March, Prime Minister Holness indicated that Jamaica and the UK had “unresolved” issues to address. He was referring, among other things, to repairs.
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King Charles with Prime Minister Holness at Buckingham Palace. The two met shortly after Elizabeth’s death:
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AFP
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Kenya
Elizabeth maintained better ties with a number of African countries. In Kenya, for example, the funeral could be seen on television today. Four days of national mourning have also been established in the country.
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Kenya was the country where Princess Elizabeth was on a royal tour in 1952 when she was told she would become queen: her father George VI had died in England.
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The history of the British royal family is inextricably linked to the brutal colonial rule that the British led to Kenya. In the African country, about 1.5 million residents were sent to detention camps during the 1950s in an attempt by the British to fight the Mau Mau independence movement.
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This latter sentiment has been heard a lot online lately. While leaders in Kenya mainly praised Elizabeth, there has been criticism on social media of Britain’s colonial legacy.
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South Africa
Like Kenya, Elizabeth has also visited South Africa several times. You have maintained a friendly relationship with the first democratically elected president Nelson Mandela.
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But a petition was recently launched in the country asking the British royal family to return the Cullinans. This largest rough diamond in the world was found at the beginning of the last century in South Africa, then a British colony. Parts of the diamond were incorporated into the crown jewels which they are today a leading role had at the funeral.
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While African leaders all expressed condolences in an orderly fashion, a different sound was heard at a souvenir market in central Cape Town:
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“I’m not crying for Queen Elizabeth”
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Australia and New Zealand
The funeral was widely followed in two other Commonwealth states, Australia and New Zealand. For example, there were screens in public and in pubs to follow the ceremonies live.
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Yet there are also critical voices in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, for example among the indigenous population. For example, many Aborigines do not mourn Elizabeth’s death.
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There is also a growing group of people who say that with the arrival of Elizabeth’s successor, Charles, it is time to become a republic. Leading Republicans, such as the Albanian Prime Minister of Australia, now say they want to show respect for the queen and want to talk about a republic only after the mourning period.
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In Sydney, the funeral could be followed in pubs:
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EPA
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