France’s Macron to Address Reparatory Justice Conference in Accra

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to address the upcoming Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice in Accra, marking a significant moment in global discussions on historical accountability and reparations for the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.

The three-day conference, scheduled for June 17–19, 2026, will be hosted by President John Dramani Mahama and is expected to bring together heads of state, policymakers, legal experts, and civil society leaders to explore pathways toward reparatory justice.

Announcing the development, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said President Macron will participate in the high-level summit and engage in discussions on historical injustices against Africans.

According to the minister, the French leader is expected to outline France’s commitment to reparatory justice following the adoption of a Ghana-led United Nations resolution that recognised the transatlantic enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

Macron’s participation is being viewed as a significant step in strengthening dialogue between African nations and former colonial powers on issues of historical responsibility and redress.

Ahead of the conference, France has pledged support for a joint Ghana-France Research Commission on Slavery in Accra and has indicated plans to repeal the historic Code Noir, a 17th-century law that regulated slavery in French colonies.

The conference comes amid renewed global attention on reparations following the passage of the Ghana-led UN resolution, which has provided fresh momentum for discussions on historical accountability and justice.

As the African Union begins its decade-long initiative, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” (2026–2036), Ghana has emerged as a key driver of continental efforts on the issue. President Mahama currently serves as the African Union Champion on Reparations.

Organisers say the Accra summit aims to move beyond symbolic discussions and focus on practical measures that can advance reparatory justice and address the enduring impact of slavery and colonialism.

The conference is expected to serve as an important platform for dialogue between African states and European nations as they seek common ground on issues of historical repair, inequality, and global justice.