Macron admits French responsibility in Rwanda genocide, seeks forgiveness
- The president visited the Gisozi genocide memorial in Kigali, where more than 250,000 victims are buried
- ‘Only those who went through that night can perhaps forgive, and in doing so give the gift of forgiveness,’ he says
“Only those who went through that night can perhaps forgive, and in doing so give the gift of forgiveness,” Macron said at the Gisozi genocide memorial in Kigali, where more than 250,000 victims are buried. Rows of skulls lie there in a mass tomb and the names of the victims are inscribed on a black wall.
“I hereby humbly and with respect stand by your side today, I come to recognise the extent of our responsibilities.”
Rwandan President Paul Kagame welcomed Macron’s speech, saying at a joint press conference later that “his words were more powerful than an apology”.
He said Macron was confronting racism and underscored Rwanda’s willingness to reset relations with France, saying “this visit is about the future not the past … I want to believe today that this rapprochement is irreversible”.
The visit follows the release in March of a report by a French inquiry panel that said a colonial attitude had blinded French officials and the government bore a “serious and overwhelming” responsibility for not foreseeing the slaughter.