Europe 1 with AFP
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7:08 p.m., January 26, 2022
Emmanuel Macron addressed a strong gesture this Wednesday to those repatriated from Algeria by describing as “unforgivable for the Republic” the shooting in the rue d’Isly in Algiers in March 1962, and by considering that the “massacre of July 5, 1962” in Oran had to be “recognized”. In front of an audience of returnees gathered at the Elysée, the head of state returned to the shooting in the rue d’Isly, in which dozens of supporters of French Algeria were killed by the army in March 1962.
“That day the French soldiers deployed against employment, badly commanded, fired on French people (…) That day it was a massacre”, declared the Head of State, adding that “60 years after “this” drama passed over in silence”, “France recognizes this tragedy”. “And I say it today loud and clear: this massacre of March 26, 1962 is unforgivable for the Republic. All the French archives on this tragedy can be consulted and studied freely”, he still assured.
“Looking straight into the face of the massacre of July 5, 1962”
Evoking the “atrocious escalation of insecurity and violence”, “attacks and assassinations” which marked the end of the Algerian war, Emmanuel Macron also urged to recognize and “look in the face” the “massacre of the July 5, 1962” in Oran, which affected “hundreds of Europeans, mainly French”. “This massacre must be faced and recognized,” he said. “The truth must be in order and the story passed on,” insisted the President of the Republic.
Faced with returnees, Emmanuel Macron also underlined the difficulty of “these months of farewell and heartbreak” which have affected thousands of families. “Your arrival in mainland France is a relief because you know you are safe here, but it is not a consolation, because you quickly feel misunderstood, despised for your values, your language, your accent, your culture”, recalled the Head of State, deploring that “most” have “come up against indifference when it was not prejudice”.
The path of reconciliation
“60 years ago the repatriates from Algeria were not listened to. 60 years ago they were not received with the affection that every French citizen in distress deserves”, added the Head of State.
And now “the path that it is up to us to take is that of this reconciliation”, pleaded Emmanuel Macron. This “recognition” is part of a series of memorial acts, since the beginning of the five-year term and as we approach the 60th anniversary of the end of the Algerian war with the Evian Accords and then the independence of this country. July 5, 1962.
On September 20, 2021, the Head of State asked “forgiveness” to the harkis, Algerian auxiliaries to the French army, who were “abandoned” by France. A bill, recording this “pardon” and attempting to “repair” the damage suffered, is currently being examined in Parliament and should be adopted by the end of February.