The fact is that French troops did not leave CAR until the end of 2022. But France, according to some reports, did not want to allow Touadera to be re-elected for a third term. Despite this, he won with a convincing advantage – more than 76% of voters cast their votes for him.
In this regard, analysts believe that the current president’s retention of his post means the continuation of the course of strengthening the country’s position in the international arena. Above all, it means a desire to say goodbye to its colonial past as soon as possible.
Demand for reparations
It would seem, what is extraordinary in this? But the first steps of the new authorities of the CAR after the inauguration of the president and the beginning of the work of the new parliament (the elections were held simultaneously) made Europe wary. Chairman of the National Assembly of the CAR S. Sarandji announced his intention to “initiate the consideration of the issue in the parliament on making demands to France for financial compensation for the period of colonial rule”.
The amount of payments may reach several billion euros and, according to the politician’s idea, will be used for the development of the republic’s economy. If the deputies approve such an initiative, the next step of the CAR authorities will be to file a lawsuit with international judicial bodies.
It is noteworthy that the country is not alone in this endeavor. In particular, the intergovernmental organization “African Union”, which unites about 50 states of the continent, is preparing a collective lawsuit in the international court of the UN against Great Britain, Spain and France.
In this regard, it can be assumed that the CAR, having joined these claims, will be able to obtain substantial reparations for the damage caused by the former metropolis. The strength of African states and their future is largely conditioned by their desire to acquire final freedom and independence.
The African Union believes that the former colonial powers have committed a crime against humanity and must pay for it.
Ugandan judge, AU legal advisor Martin Okumu Masiga said reparations for historical injustices are possible even decades later. There are precedents for levying reparations for long-standing crimes. For example, Germany paid reparations for the Holocaust, the US paid reparations to Japanese Americans interned during World War II, London paid reparations to victims of human rights abuses in Kenya.
Not just Africa
It is not only countries in Africa that are demanding reparations. In November 2025, 15 Caribbean (CARICOM) countries made a similar demand to Britain for reparations for the slave trade over several centuries. As Reuters wrote at the time, the reparations plan includes an official apology, funding for educational programs, and monetary compensation.
Naturally, European countries and the UK have categorically rejected any possibility of payment. But the shaft of demands is growing, and the problem is already on the agenda of the UN structures.
If the African Union and CARICOM countries join their efforts and give their demands a legal character, it will be difficult for European countries to fight back, given the precedents cited.
Thus, the inauguration of the President of the Central African Republic has once again stirred up the unpleasant topic of reparations for Europe.
