In a thought-provoking episode of the podcast "C'est la France," aired on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, journalist Eric Fottorino delves into a pressing question: Is France still a colonial country? This inquiry comes on the heels of President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to the island of Réunion on April 22, 2025, a trip that rekindled discussions about France's colonial legacy and its ongoing implications for various territories.
Fottorino points out that despite France no longer having colonies, the echoes of its colonial past still resonate in modern society. The podcast highlights the persistent tensions between Paris and Algiers, particularly surrounding the controversial detention of Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, which serves as a stark reminder of unresolved colonial grievances.
Adding to the discourse, former RTL commentator Jean-Michel Apathie stirred controversy with his comparison of colonial atrocities in Algeria to the massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane, a tragic event from World War II. This provocative statement was met with backlash, yet it underscores the historical weight of colonial actions that still affect relationships today.
Fottorino cites the words of General Bugeaud, who infamously suggested that if rebels retreated into caves, they should be "smoked like foxes." Such rhetoric illustrates the brutal mindset that characterized colonial rule and raises questions about how these attitudes continue to influence contemporary France.
In addressing whether France is still a colonial entity, responses collected in the publication "1 hebdo" reveal a nuanced perspective: while many assert that France is not a colonial country, they acknowledge significant lingering issues. For instance, the Antilles are still grappling with severe inequalities rooted in the history of slavery and plantation economies.
Moreover, in mainland France, half of the immigrants from former colonies face heightened discrimination, a legacy of the colonial past that remains deeply embedded in societal structures. Political scientist Max Paul Morin emphasizes that young men perceived as Black or Arab are twenty times more likely to be stopped by police, indicating a troubling pattern of systemic inequality.
The podcast also highlights a disturbing rise in racist and anti-Semitic incidents in France, which have reached alarming levels of 1.2 million per year. Fottorino argues that addressing these issues requires a robust educational approach aimed at dismantling prejudices and stereotypes that continue to plague societal interactions.
Furthermore, the podcast discusses the toxic theory of the "great replacement," which frames immigration as a threat to the French identity. This narrative, despite being debunked by demographic data, reflects a pervasive fear that the colonial past still shapes perceptions of the 'other' in contemporary France.
Despite the formal decolonization that took place over sixty years ago, Morin insists that the colonial legacy persists in French society, and recognizing this reality is crucial for achieving a truly egalitarian France. The ongoing dialogue surrounding these issues suggests that while the colonial empire may have dissolved, its effects linger in the social fabric of the nation.
In a separate but related context, President Macron's recent visit to Madagascar has drawn attention to another colonial legacy: the dispute over the Îles Éparses, or Scattered Islands. These islands, located in the Mozambique Channel, are claimed by both France and Madagascar, highlighting the unresolved complexities of sovereignty that linger from colonial times.
The Îles Éparses include Tromelin, Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Europa, and Bassas da India, and their control grants France access to significant maritime resources, including fishing grounds and hydrocarbons, often referred to as the "new North Sea." The islands were attached to Madagascar administratively from 1895 until they were placed under French authority in 1960, a move that Madagascar contests as part of its independence agreement.
In 1979, the United Nations passed a non-binding resolution urging France to return the islands to Madagascar, yet bilateral negotiations over the years, including talks in 1990 and 2016, have failed to yield a resolution. Macron's visit, which included a historic landing on Grande Glorieuse, reignited tensions, especially after he declared, "This is France," a statement that sparked outrage in Antananarivo.
As the two nations seek to navigate this contentious issue, the involvement of external players like Russia, which supports Madagascar's claims, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. In light of these developments, Macron is expected to advocate for a renewed joint commission to address the future of the islands, a necessary step toward mending relations with Madagascar.
Both the discussions surrounding France's colonial legacy and the sovereignty disputes over the Îles Éparses illustrate the enduring impact of colonialism on contemporary relationships and identities. As France grapples with its past, the ongoing dialogue and negotiations may ultimately shape the future of its interactions with former colonies.
In conclusion, the legacies of colonialism are far from erased, influencing both social dynamics within France and international relations with former colonies. As these conversations continue, they highlight the importance of addressing historical injustices to pave the way for a more equitable future.
