An 80-year-old man in France issued what is considered the first formal apology from an individual regarding his family's role in transatlantic slavery, calling for broader accountability from the state.
Historical Context of Slavery in Nantes
Pierre Guillon de Prince's ancestors were shipowners based in Nantes, a major port city involved in transatlantic slave trade. These ancestors were reportedly responsible for transporting approximately 4,500 enslaved Africans and owned plantations in the Caribbean.
Call for Reparations and Confronting History
During a gathering in Nantes, Guillon de Prince stated that other French families must confront their historical ties to slavery. He specifically urged the French state to move beyond mere symbolic gestures and implement tangible measures, including reparations, to address the past.
- Motivation: The 86-year-old stated, “Faced with the rise of racism in our society, I felt a responsibility not to let this past be erased.”
- Goal: He expressed a desire to pass this family history on to his grandchildren.
This apology was delivered alongside Dieudonné Boutrin, a descendant of enslaved people from Martinique. Both men work with Coque Nomade-Fraternité, an association focused on “breaking the silence” surrounding slavery.
Broader Context of Slavery and Apologies
- Scale of Atrocities: Historically, between the 15th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12.5 million Africans were forcibly transported, with France trafficking an estimated 1.3 million people.
- International Trend: Guillon de Prince’s action follows similar formal apologies from families in Britain and other nations.
- French Government Action: While France recognized transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001, the government has not issued a formal apology. President Emmanuel Macron has expanded access to colonial archives, and last year, he announced plans to establish a commission to examine France’s history with Haiti, though without mentioning reparations.
Global Calls for Accountability
Calls for reparations—ranging from official apologies to financial compensation—are increasing globally. However, critics continue to debate whether states and institutions should bear responsibility for historical crimes. Notably, last month, France abstained at the United Nations from an Africa-led resolution that sought to declare slavery the “gravest crime against humanity” and call for reparations.
