French President Emmanuel Macron has made a poignant admission regarding France’s involvement in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, stating that France and its allies “could have stopped” the genocide but “lacked the will to do so.” Macron’s statement comes as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the genocide, a somber milestone in the nation’s history.
In a video set to be released on social media on Sunday, Macron candidly addresses France’s failure to intervene decisively during one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history. He acknowledges that France, along with its Western and African allies, possessed the capacity to intervene and prevent the genocide but ultimately fell short due to a lack of determination.
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This admission marks a significant shift in France’s stance on its role in the genocide. Macron’s acknowledgment follows his visit to Rwanda in 2021, during which he publicly recognized France’s “responsibility” in the genocide. The genocide, which claimed the lives of over 800,000 people, primarily targeted ethnic Tutsis and Hutus, leaving an indelible scar on the nation and its people.
Macron’s willingness to confront France’s past actions and acknowledge its failures in Rwanda underscores the importance of reckoning with historical injustices and fostering reconciliation. As Rwanda continues to commemorate the victims of the genocide and strive towards healing and unity, Macron’s words serve as a reminder of the imperative to confront the past with honesty and humility.
