Near the business center of Libreville, in front of the Presidential Palace, the stele of freedom commemorates the end of the slave trade in 1848. Following Schoelcher’s declaration, 272 enslaved men, women and children were freed and then founded the city of Libreville the next year. Designed by painter and sculptor Minko Minze. it depicts a half-man, half-woman slave, freeing themself from their chains.
Victor Schœlcher was a French abolitionist, writer, politician and journalist, best known for his leading role in the abolition of slavery in France in 1848, When the Second Republic took power Schechter was made secretary of state for the colonies and president of a new commission charged with drafting the immediate abolition of slavery. Not even waiting for the election of the National Assembly, he prepared and wrote the decree that was issued on 27 April 1848, through which the French government abolished slavery in all of its colonies and granted citizenship to the emancipated people.
