Few countries like to face their past, so it is a remarkable trip President Macron has made to Rwanda.
The fact that he recognized in Kigali that France was partly responsible for the cruel genocide of 1994 is a rare gesture by a European on a continent that has suffered much suffering and injustice from its northern neighbors.
Macron stuck to the results of the French commission of historians that Paris supported the murderous regime, but the French were not guilty of the perpetration.
He even asked for forgiveness in clauses, which will go a long way towards normalizing relations between the two countries.
Macron has been accused of only having the role of his own country in the massacres dealt with in order to achieve just that.
Indeed, it cannot be overlooked that the President wants to increase French influence in Africa.
But that is not illegitimate, it should be a model for all of Europe.
It is not uncommon for Africa's problems to have an impact right through to the EU (migration, terrorism). And too seldom do Africa's potentials have an effect on us (trade, investments). Despite many oaths at Africa conferences, the German commitment on this huge continent on Europe's doorstep is low compared to that in America or Asia. That should change, Macron is right.