Marcelo says Portugal “has to pay” the costs of slavery and colonial massacres

The President of the Republic acknowledged that Portugal is responsible for several crimes committed during the colonial era and transatlantic slavery, suggesting that the country should pay reparations to the targeted countries.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s statements come after an event with several foreign journalists, being quoted by the “Reuters” agency this time. This morning news also emerged that the President of the Republic had cut ties with his own son following the case of the Portuguese-Brazilian twins, in which Nuno Rebelo de Sousa tried to schedule a meeting with the head of state.

At the event with the international press, the President of the Republic said that Portugal “takes full responsibility” for what happened in the past. Marcelo also considered that the “colonial massacres” had “costs”.

“We have to pay these costs. Are there actions that were not punished and those responsible were not arrested? Are there goods that were stolen and not returned? Let’s see how we can fix this”, Marcelo pointed out at the event.

The Portuguese president’s words come at a time when Africa and several Caribbean countries have joined forces to demand compensation for past slavery. Data cited by “Reuters” recalls that Portugal trafficked almost six million Africans, “more than any other European nation”.

The agency even indicates that “Angola, Mozambique, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor and parts of India [em referência a Goa e Damão] were subject to Portuguese rules”, which is often perceived as a “reason for pride” today.

After all the statements, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said that taking responsibility is the most important thing, above apologizing. “Apologizing is the easiest part. We apologize, we turn our backs, and the job is done,” he told reporters.

This is the first time that a leader of a southern European country has suggested an apology for slavery in Africa.