The decision by French lawmakers to repeal centuries-old legislation that defined enslaved people in France’s colonies as “moveable goods” is a significant and welcome development.

Though largely symbolic, the unanimous vote in France’s National Assembly last Thursday represents an important acknowledgement of a shameful chapter in that nation’s history and a recognition that some legacies of slavery cannot be allowed to linger, even on the statute books.

The Code Noir or Black Code, first promulgated under King Louis XIV, was among the most dehumanising legal instruments ever devised. It reduced African men, women, and children to property; stripped them of their humanity; sanctioned brutal punishments; and ensured that the bondage of one generation would be inherited by the next.

While France abolished slavery more than 170 years ago, and formally recognised slavery and the slave trade as crimes against humanity in 2001, it is remarkable that these royal decrees were never explicitly annulled until now.

The emotional scenes in the French Parliament last week were, therefore, understandable. Descendants of enslaved people spoke not merely as legislators, but as heirs to a painful history whose wounds have never fully healed.

“I’m thinking of my great-grandmother, Mama Bebelle,” an AFP report quotes Greens lawmaker Mr Steevy Gustave as saying. “She was the granddaughter of Ambroise Zerambe, born in Africa, then reduced to slavery under the number 336… We are not descendants of slaves. We are descendants of human beings who were born free, then reduced to slavery,” he added, his voice breaking.

Mr Max Mathiasin, a lawmaker from Guadeloupe who is championing the Bill, was also moved to tears after a unanimous show of hands to support him, the AFP report told us.

“Allow me to thank my mother,” he said.

France deserves credit for taking this step. President Emmanuel Macron should also be recognised for lending his support to the repeal.

Yet France’s reckoning with its colonial past cannot end with symbolic gestures. The country still has much to answer for, particularly in relation to Haiti, whose history stands as one of the most egregious examples of colonial injustice.

After Haiti became the world’s first black republic in 1804, following a successful slave revolt, France forced the fledgling nation to pay an enormous indemnity in exchange for recognising its independence. The former slaves were effectively compelled to compensate their former masters for lost “property”.

To meet the demand, Haiti incurred crippling debts that haunted the country for generations, draining resources that should have been invested in development, education, infrastructure, and public welfare.

The consequences of that injustice remain visible today. Haiti continues to struggle with deep poverty and instability, circumstances that cannot be divorced from the historical burdens imposed upon it by France.

It is, therefore, encouraging that President Macron has indicated that the issue of reparation should be addressed. That acknowledgement is important. For too long discussions about reparatory justice have been dismissed or avoided by former colonial powers. France’s willingness to engage the issue signals a potentially important shift.

However, acknowledgement alone is insufficient. Mr Macron must now move beyond broad statements and outline specific measures that France is prepared to pursue. If reparation is to be discussed seriously there must be concrete proposals and clear commitments with delivery timelines.

In this regard, the 10-point reparatory justice plan advanced by Caribbean nations provides a useful framework. The plan does not focus narrowly on financial compensation. Rather, it seeks practical measures to address the enduring consequences of slavery and colonialism, including debt cancellation; support for health care, educational initiatives; cultural rehabilitation; technology transfer; and programmes aimed at eradicating illiteracy.

These proposals deserve careful consideration by all the countries in Europe that benefited from slavery. They recognise that the harms of slavery were not confined to the past but continue to shape economic and social realities across the Caribbean today.

Importantly, the conversation must not end when President Macron leaves office next year. The pursuit of historical justice cannot be tied to the tenure of any single leader. France must demonstrate a sustained commitment to addressing the legacy of slavery and colonialism, regardless of who occupies the Élysée Palace.

Repealing the Black Code is an important beginning, but history demands more than symbolism. It demands action, accountability, and a genuine commitment to repairing the damage wrought by centuries of exploitation and human suffering. France has taken a step in the right direction. It must now find the courage to continue the journey.