“It’s going in the right direction but it’s also a policy of small steps,” says Patrick de Saint-Exupéry

While Emmanuel Macron declared this Thursday that “France could have stopped the genocide” in Rwanda, the journalist Patrick de Saint-Exupéry, a reporter in Rwanda in 1994, judges that these remarks are in the right direction and that “the truth is ‘tears off little by little.

While Emmanuel Macron declared this Thursday that “France could have stopped the genocide” in Rwanda, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of this tragic event, the journalist Patrick de Saint-Exupéry, reporter in Rwanda for Le Figaro in 1994, believes that the President of the Republic “is in line with his words while taking one more step”. Emmanuel Macron, who had already recognized in 2021 the “responsibilities” of France in the genocide, will speak on Sunday, the anniversary of the genocide, in a video which will be published on his social networks.

“It’s going in the right direction but it’s also at the same time a policy of small steps”comments the journalist. “30 years later what I see is that we have difficulty saying what was, that far from twisting the arms of the extremists who committed genocide, we encouraged, armed and supported them”, he accuses. This responsibility of France in the genocide of the Tutsi had been established by the commission of historians and researchers led by Professor Vincent Duclert on the role and commitment of France in Rwanda, explained the Elysée.

Recognize that “mistakes were made” by Paris

“Little by little the official discourse is taking into account the reality of what has been and that is good but I believe that there are still steps to be taken. It is time for the political and military leaders in charge at the time at the Elysée and at the general staff, have the courage to say that they were wrong”explains Patrick de Saint-Exupéry.

According to him “mistakes were made in Rwanda, we have the right to make mistakes, we can make mistakes but not recognize it, it’s a mistake, it’s unforgivable, it’s inexcusable. It’s a matter of courage . It’s important for France and for Rwanda so that these people can reclaim their history.”because “the question posed to us in the role of Paris on this genocide is extremely important. It has been asked for 30 years and we see the progress, it is not negligible. The truth is gradually emerging”however recognizes Patrick de Saint-Exupéry.