PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has called on France to address the question of reparations for slavery, marking a significant shift in the country’s public debate over its role in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial exploitation.
Macron made the remarks in Paris during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Taubira law, the landmark 2001 legislation that recognised the slave trade and colonial slavery as crimes against humanity. France was the first country to formally make such a recognition through national law.
In his speech, Macron said France must be honest about the fact that the crime of slavery can never be fully repaired, but he added that the question of how to repair its consequences “must not be refused.” He also cautioned against making promises that could not be kept, signalling that any future approach would likely focus on historical truth, education, research and practical measures rather than immediate financial compensation.
The French president’s comments come amid growing pressure from activists, historians and descendants of enslaved people for France to move beyond symbolic recognition. Campaigners have long argued that the legacy of slavery continues to shape inequalities in France’s overseas territories, the Caribbean and parts of Africa formerly tied to the French empire.
Macron also announced support for further academic work on reparative justice, including a joint research initiative with Ghana aimed at producing policy recommendations. Ghana has been one of the leading voices in international efforts to secure wider recognition of the historical and modern consequences of slavery.
The debate has gained urgency as France faces renewed scrutiny over its colonial history, including the case of Haiti. In 1825, France forced Haiti to pay a massive indemnity in exchange for recognition of its independence, a debt that historians and campaigners say weakened the Caribbean nation for generations. Macron previously acknowledged the injustice and announced a Franco-Haitian commission to examine the issue, but stopped short of committing to financial reparations.
Macron also backed the symbolic repeal of the Code Noir, the 17th-century decree that regulated slavery in French colonies and helped institutionalise racial domination.
The remarks were welcomed by some advocates as an important opening, but others said France must move from words to concrete action. The issue remains politically sensitive, especially as France prepares for its 2027 presidential election.
For now, Macron’s message signals that reparations are no longer outside France’s official conversation. But the difficult question remains: what form they should take, who should benefit and whether France is prepared to accept material responsibility for one of the darkest chapters in its history.
