Madagascar's President Emmanuel Macron unveils a historical commission consisting of scholars to investigate the brutal acts perpetrated during the 1947 insurrection.
Let's Talk About Macron's Big Move in Madagascar
Emmanuel Macron, France's president, is stepping up his game in Madagascar, aiming for some serious reconciliation over the country's colonial past. Here's a rundown of his gameplan.
Macron's Colonial Apology Tour
Macron wants forgiveness for France's dark colonial past in Madagascar, and he's showing it by returning cultural artifacts and working together with Malagasy historians.
Macron isn't just talking the talk; he's walking the walk. He's setting up a joint Franco-Malagasy commission of historians to dig deep into Madagascar's 1947 uprising, which saw some bloody repression by the French army. He's even apologized for France's role in this painful chapter of Malagasy history.
Bringing Back the Kings' Heads
Macron's been hearing Malagasy historians call for a symbolic gesture, and he's answering with action. He's planning to return the skulls of three Sakalava warriors, including that of a Malagasy king killed by French troops in 1897.
The skulls have been sitting pretty in Paris' Museum of Mankind for a while, but Macron's determined to bring them home. The king's remains are just one part of several hundred Malagasy human remains held in Parisian museums. Macron ain't got no time for that, saying, "There's nothing that can justify that African youth can only know their past through Parisian museums."
This will be the first application of the 2023 law on the return of human remains belonging to French public collections, so get ready for some history-making, y'all!
Heavy on History, Light on Wallets
Macron's not just focusing on the past. He's also thinking about the future. He's planning to invest in a major hydroelectric dam project and work together on rare earth minerals essential for renewable energies.
Macron's hoping these economic moves will help deepen France's relationship with its former colony, especially with global powers like China and Russia making a play for the region.
More Than Just Madagascar
Macron's moves in Madagascar are part of a broader strategy to mend ties with France's former colonies across Africa and the Caribbean.
From commissions of historians to the return of cultural artifacts, Macron's been working with several of his former colonies to dig into the past and build a better future. He's also been strengthening economic relationships, like investing in strategic resources and infrastructure, to assert France's influence in regions where other global powers are stepping up their game.
Wanna know more? Check out our article, "With the announced return of the skull of King Toera, Madagascar celebrates the memory of its royalties broken by colonization."
Sources:
- Le Figaro
- France 24
- AFP
- BBC Africa
- Emmanuel Macron, France's president, not only talks about reconciliation over the country's colonial past in Madagascar but also declares his intentions through a joint Franco-Malagasy commission of historians to investigate the 1947 uprising.
- In a symbolic gesture towards Malagasy historians' calls, Macron plans to return the skulls of three Sakalava warriors, including a Malagasy king, whose remains have been stored in Paris' Museum of Mankind since 1897.
- Macron's initiatives in Madagascar reflect his broader strategy to foster reconciliation and strengthen economic relationships with France's former colonies across Africa and the Caribbean.
- Beyond Madagascar, Macron has been working with several of his former colonies, pursuing commission of historians to explore past events and collaborating on strategic resources and infrastructure projects to assert France's influence in regions confronting war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation in politics and general news.
- The return of human remains, such as the skull of King Toera, represents a crucial part of Macron's tactics in mending ties with France's former colonies, and the process will mark the first application of the 2023 law on the return of human remains belonging to French public collections.
