On Thursday, May 8, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron presided over ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. This significant occasion was held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where Macron delivered a poignant speech reflecting on the importance of peace in the face of modern conflicts.
During the ceremony, Macron stated, "We will never be finished defending peace," emphasizing the ongoing struggle to maintain stability in Europe amidst rising tensions. He noted the resurgence of imperialism and totalitarianism, which he claimed had reemerged in recent years, reminding attendees that the continent must continually reaffirm its commitment to peace and independence.
Macron's remarks came as Europe grapples with the ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict that has reignited fears of large-scale warfare on the continent. He lamented the illusion of perpetual peace that many believed followed World War II, stating, "These last years have reminded us that we will never finish defending our independence, our freedom, and a stronger Europe."
In a historical context, Macron recalled that France had to assert its place among the Allies at the signing of the capitulation of the Third Reich in Reims, following five years of Nazi occupation. He remarked, "We knew that our country had a role to play in the dialogue of powers, the balance of the world, and the stability of the future."
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa. Macron honored Jean Daikhowski, a notable figure of the Resistance who participated in the liberation of Paris, by awarding him the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor. Daikhowski had previously escaped the Vel d'Hiv roundup in 1942, making his recognition particularly significant.
As France commemorates this pivotal moment in history, it also faces pressure to confront another dark chapter from its past: the 1945 massacre of Algerians by French colonial forces. This event, which coincides with the anniversary of the Allied victory, is viewed by many as the beginning of the Algerian independence struggle.
On the same day, a group of 30 left-wing French politicians traveled to Algeria to participate in commemorations and call for France to acknowledge its historical responsibility regarding the massacre. Greens MP Sabrina Sebaï expressed the importance of this symbolic gesture, stating, "It’s important on this symbolic date to have a French delegation to show that in France there are not only enemies of Algeria, as we have seen with the heated debates of the past few months."
The tragic events began on May 8, 1945, in the northern Algerian city of Sétif, where celebrations of the Allied victory turned into chaos. When Algerians displayed flags and banners calling for independence, French authorities ordered their removal. As tensions escalated, troops opened fire on the crowd, leading to riots in nearby towns, including Guelma and Kherrata, where around 100 French settlers were killed.
In retaliation, French authorities launched a brutal crackdown. Charles de Gaulle, who was leading France at the time, authorized "all necessary measures to repress all anti-French acts." Colonial forces bombed villages and conducted summary executions, resulting in civilian casualties throughout May and June. While Algeria claims that 45,000 people died in the aftermath, historians estimate the death toll to be between 15,000 and 20,000.
Filmmaker Mehdi Lallaoui, who documented the Sétif massacre, remarked, "Eighty years later we do not know exactly the number of people who died in May and June 1945 because there was a code of silence." He highlighted that survivors of the killings were imprisoned, and the state sought to bury the truth of the event.
Despite the historical significance of the massacre, France has remained largely silent on the issue. In 2005, a French ambassador to Algeria referred to the massacre as an "inexcusable tragedy," but official recognition has yet to be granted. In recent years, some French politicians have pushed for a formal acknowledgment of the events, with left-wing MPs proposing to recognize the massacres as a "state crime perpetrated against an unarmed civilian population."
Interior Minister Jean-Noël Barrot acknowledged that relations between France and Algeria are currently "blocked," reflecting the ongoing tension surrounding the historical narrative. Centrist Senator Raphaël Daubet, a member of the delegation visiting Algeria, emphasized that reopening dialogue requires recognizing the massacres that occurred in Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata.
Algeria made May 8 an official day of commemoration in 2020 to honor the victims of the massacre, but France has yet to follow suit. Historian Nils Andersson noted, "Algeria’s independence remains a trauma in French public opinion. There is an anti-Algerian feeling in France, and political leaders must have the courage to recognize the facts about colonialism, which is neither an act of contrition nor repentance, but just a moral and truthful act."
As both nations reflect on their shared history, the dual commemorations highlight the complexities of memory and reconciliation. While France honors its role in the defeat of Nazi Germany, it also faces the weight of its colonial past and the urgent need for acknowledgment and healing.