Jacques Serais, edited by Thibault Nadal 8:34 p.m., March 19, 2022

On the occasion of a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Evian Accords, the Head of State affirmed that he intended to continue to "reach out" to the Algerian authorities, even if the initiatives taken since the start of the five-year term did not lead to any lasting improvement in relations between Algiers and Paris.

This Saturday, March 19 marks the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the ceasefire signed the day before between the French army and the Algerian separatists.

A ceremony was held at the Élysée in front of 200 people where the Head of State again played the appeasement card.

Facing Emmanuel Macron, in the village hall of the Élysée, were witnesses from all memories linked to the Algerian war: conscripts from the contingent, harkis, returnees and independence fighters.

"60 years after this victory for some and this defeat for others", launched President Macron.

"I want to reconcile memories"

All gathered on March 19, when this date is far from unanimous.

Emmanuel Macron also had to justify himself: "This date is not the end of the violence, nor the beginning of peace, nor the end of the war, it was a milestone, he explained. The Head of State recalls all the memorial gestures undertaken since the beginning of his five-year term: recognition of France's responsibility in the assassination of independence activists Maurice Audin and Ali Boumendjel, through the denunciation of the pied-noir massacres of 'Oran and rue d'Isly in Algiers, or his request for forgiveness "to the harkis.

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"I was able to do things which were unbearable for some of you in this room and then which were unbearable for others", launched Emmanuel Macron.

And despite the hostility of the Algerian power, which was not represented at this ceremony, the president wants to continue to appease: "the day will come when Algeria will take this path. I think it is more difficult for the Algerians only for us. I assume this outstretched hand and I think it will be followed", he admits. 

"Reconcile memories, we will get there," he promises, already planning for a second five-year term.