By Ayo Kehinde
France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has committed to “open and honest” discussions on reparations for transatlantic slavery following sustained diplomatic pressure from Ghana and a landmark United Nations resolution declaring slavery the gravest crime against humanity.
The commitment followed high-level talks in Paris between Macron and Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the global campaign for reparatory justice led by African states.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that despite France’s abstention at the United Nations vote, Macron signalled readiness to engage on key reparations demands, including restitution of looted African artefacts, addressing entrenched global economic inequalities, and confronting structural racism linked to slavery and colonialism.
The development comes on the heels of a Ghana-sponsored resolution adopted by the United Nations, which formally recognised transatlantic slavery as the “gravest crime against humanity” and called for reparations to affected nations and peoples. France, alongside several European countries, abstained during the vote, citing concerns that the resolution could create a hierarchy among crimes against humanity.
However, Ghanaian officials emphasised that France’s diplomatic posture is evolving. Ablakwa noted that Macron’s position signals a shift from outright resistance toward engagement, describing the talks as a crucial opening for sustained negotiations on historical accountability.
An official at the Élysée Palace confirmed that discussions also covered France’s ongoing efforts to return culturally significant artefacts and human remains, as well as the legal complexities surrounding restitution. While the French side did not explicitly confirm broader reparations measures, the acknowledgement of dialogue marks a notable development.
France had, in 2001, officially recognised transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity, but has yet to issue a formal apology or commit to reparations—placing it in line with most European nations that were historically involved in the slave trade.
Historical records indicate that between the 15th and 19th centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic, with France responsible for trafficking an estimated 1.3 million people. The enduring economic and social consequences of this exploitation remain central to Africa’s reparations argument.
Further signalling a gradual shift in approach, Macron in 2025 announced plans to establish a commission to examine France’s historical relationship with Haiti, particularly the long-term impacts of colonial extraction and post-independence financial impositions.
The Ghana-France meeting underscores growing international momentum behind reparations advocacy, with African nations increasingly leveraging diplomatic platforms to demand justice, restitution, and structural reforms in the global system.
While opposition persists, particularly from critics who argue that contemporary states should not be held liable for historical injustices, the willingness of France to enter discussions reflects mounting global pressure and a changing diplomatic landscape.
For Ghana and its allies, Macron’s commitment to dialogue represents more than symbolic engagement; it is being seen as a critical first step toward securing tangible reparatory measures and reshaping historical accountability in international relations.
