Macron backs Ghana's call for reparatory justice over slavery
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged France's "full support" for African efforts to advance reparatory justice for slavery during a virtual address at a conference in Accra on Thursday.
Speaking at the High-Level Consultative Conference on the landmark UN Resolution on the Trafficking and Enslavement of Africans, Macron endorsed Ghana's call for greater historical recognition and accountability.
"I do not want any misunderstanding to arise; France supports fully the call made by Ghana," Macron said. "This call aims to establish historical truth in all its depth."
The French president said more work was needed to address what he described as the "dark areas" of history, stressing the importance of teaching future generations about slavery and understanding its long-term consequences.
"The first of reparations is the truth, the truth recognised and accepted," he said.
Macron reaffirmed France's commitment to the process of historical recognition.
"I want to assure you here of my full determination and that of France to continue this path of historical recognition with all its partners," he stated.
He also argued that reparations should go beyond financial compensation and include truth-telling, education, memorialisation and the return of looted cultural artefacts.
"The resolution put forward by Ghana expresses a deep aspiration for justice, and this, we cannot ignore," Macron said. "I therefore hope that through this unprecedented work of historical recognition, we can together lay the first foundations of a path towards reparations, reconciliation, and a shared future."
The conference was hosted by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and brought together the presidents of Senegal and Namibia, as well as representatives of the African Union, CARICOM and the African diaspora to discuss practical measures for reparatory justice related to slavery and colonialism.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
