During his official visit to Madagascar, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness in addressing the colonial legacy of France’s rule over the island. Speaking at the historic Rova Palace in Antananarivo on Thursday, Macron acknowledged the painful chapters of history caused by French colonization, referring to them as “bloody” and “painful.”
In his address to the Malagasy people, Macron acknowledged that the journey of forgiveness is a deeply personal one, but assured that France is ready to create the necessary conditions for healing. “Only you can walk the path of forgiveness, which is deeply personal,” he said, adding that both nations need to forge a “human, personal, and symbolic connection” that would allow for the mourning of the past.
Macron stressed the need for cooperation between historians from both France and Madagascar to shed light on the colonial past, emphasizing that “truth, memory, history, and reconciliation” must be allowed to emerge. “Our presence here is not innocent. Our history with Madagascar is written through painful chapters,” he declared.
France’s colonization of Madagascar began in 1896 after a military campaign against the Merina monarchy. The period was marked by violence, with estimates suggesting that up to 90,000 Malagasy people lost their lives. Madagascar remained under French rule until it gained independence in 1960.
This visit makes Macron the fifth French president to visit Madagascar and the second to conduct a state visit. While other leaders such as Charles de Gaulle and François Hollande have visited the island, Macron’s remarks reflect a more direct acknowledgment of the historical injustices committed during colonial rule, signaling a shift towards deeper reconciliation.
Macron’s visit is part of a broader tour of the Indian Ocean region, which included visits to Mayotte and La Réunion earlier in the week. The French president was in Madagascar to attend the 5th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Indian Ocean Commission, a meeting that includes Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, and France’s overseas region of La Réunion.
A significant moment of the visit was Macron’s announcement that France would return cultural artifacts looted during colonial times, including the skull of King Toera, who was decapitated by French troops in 1897. Macron declared, “These human remains belong here and nowhere else.” Additionally, three Malagasy warrior skulls that have been held in the Musée de l’Homme in Paris are set to be returned to Madagascar in August, following an agreement made earlier this year.
Macron’s commitment to returning these cultural items aligns with his broader call for increased dialogue between historians from both nations. The proposal for collaboration is modeled on similar initiatives with former French colonies, such as Algeria, Cameroon, and Haiti, aiming to confront colonial history through research and dialogue.
In addition to addressing historical matters, Macron focused on strengthening economic relations between the two countries. He announced plans for France to invest in a major hydroelectric dam project in Madagascar, signaling a commitment to supporting the country’s economic development.
While France has taken symbolic steps to address its colonial past in various territories, the issue of formal apologies and reparations continues to be debated. Many former colonies, including Madagascar, continue to call for more comprehensive acknowledgment and justice for the harms caused during colonial rule.
President Macron’s visit represents a key moment in the ongoing process of reconciliation. His acknowledgment of the painful past, along with steps toward restitution and enhanced cooperation, lays the groundwork for a stronger future partnership between France and Madagascar, rooted in mutual understanding and respect.