By John Ikani
The ghost of France’s colonial past has once again come back to haunt President Emmanuel Macron.
In an interview with French weekly Le Point published on Wednesday, the President was asked about the possibility of apologizing for the atrocities committed during the colonization of Algeria, but he refused to do so, stating that “it’s not relevant, and the word [forgive] would break our ties.”
“The worst thing would be to decide: ‘We apologise and each go our own way,’” Macron said.
“Work on memory and history isn’t a settling of all accounts,” he added.
Macron’s comments, made during his state visit to Algeria in August, has created a storm of controversy and has reignited the flames of the brutal eight-year war that resulted in Algeria’s independence in 1962.
The war claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands, mostly on the Algerian side, and left a lasting impact on French politics and society.
In 2017, as a presidential candidate, Macron had described French colonization as a “crime against humanity,” a bold departure from the traditionally measured rhetoric of French politicians and leaders, raising hopes for a reconciliation.
But since his election, the French President has refrained from offering a state apology for France’s colonial past.
When pressed on the topic, Macron acknowledged, “Speaking up on Algeria is potentially perilous, but indispensable.”
He went on to say, “It’s difficult because it’s an intimate topic for each [country]” which created “70 years of trauma.”
The President’s ambiguous stance on the matter has left many feeling frustrated and confused.
While some praise his honesty, others criticize his lack of action towards reconciliation.
“It’s a delicate topic that requires more than just words,” said Kamel Daoud, French-Algerian writer and interviewer of Macron. “We hope for more progress towards reconciliation in the future.”
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether President Macron will take any concrete steps to address the painful legacy of French colonization in Algeria, or if this colonial conundrum will continue to be swept under the rug.
