French President Emmanuel Macron has supported the repeal of centuries-old royal decrees codifying slavery in French colonies, stating that their continued existence is incompatible with the values of the republic, reports Anadolu.

Speaking at the Elysee Palace during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of France’s official recognition of slavery and the slave trade as crimes against humanity, Macron said the issue of reparations linked to the legacy of slavery must be addressed, but warned against “false promises”.

Macron backed a parliamentary proposal to formally repeal the “Code Noir”, a series of 17th- and 18th-century laws governing slavery in French territories that were never formally repealed after slavery was abolished.

He said France must face its history with honesty and recognized that the country would never be able to fully compensate for the suffering caused by slavery. Macron announced a joint research initiative with Ghana to study the long-term effects of slavery and provide recommendations to policymakers.

President Macron’s remarks mark a shift from long-standing political reluctance in France to publicly discuss reparations, as pressure mounts from activists and lawmakers to address racism and inequalities linked to the country’s colonial past.

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