Acknowledging Responsibility
French President Emmanuel Macron asserts that France and its allies possessed the capability to halt the 1994 Rwandan genocide but lacked the resolve to act. Macron’s statement, a robust admission, comes on the brink of Rwanda’s 30th commemoration of the massacre that claimed the lives of over 800,000 individuals.
Expressing Regret
In a video to be released on social media as Rwanda marks the somber occasion, Macron emphasizes that France, alongside its Western and African counterparts, failed to intervene decisively, despite the potential to prevent the genocide.
Reconciling Relations
Macron’s acknowledgment follows previous efforts aimed at reconciliation between France and Rwanda. During a visit to Rwanda in 2021, Macron acknowledged France’s “responsibility” in the genocide, although stopping short of issuing a formal apology. This gesture was met with a positive response from Rwandan President Paul Kagame, indicating a thaw in the strained relations between the two nations.
Transparency and Accountability
Since assuming office in 2017, Macron has taken concrete steps towards transparency regarding France’s role in the genocide. Notably, he commissioned a report on France’s actions before and during the genocide and made the decision to open the country’s archives from that period to the public.
Standing in Solidarity
In his forthcoming video, Macron reaffirms France’s solidarity with Rwanda and its people. He underlines the tragic loss of one million Tutsi individuals and vows to honor their memory. While Macron will be unable to attend the commemoration in person due to World War II commemorations in France, France will be represented by its Foreign Minister, Stéphane Séjourné, in Kigali.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Nile Post
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