Former director of the slavery memorial museum in Guadeloupe, Laurella Yssap-Rinçon, has been sentenced to one year of suspended imprisonment on April 30, in line with the prosecution’s request made on January 23. She was also fined 10,000 euros, given a two-year ban on running for public office, and prohibited from working in the public sector for the same period, as announced by the court president. The Memorial ACTe, dedicated to the memory of the slave trade and slavery in Pointe-à-Pitre, had filed for more than 900,000 euros as civil party, which the court deemed inadmissible. Yssap-Rinçon declined to comment to the press after the verdict, although she stated to Guadeloupe La 1ère that she would be appealing the decision.
Conflicts at the Memorial ACTe have been in the spotlight for quite some time, especially since 2021, with ongoing tensions between the former director and the current president of the board of directors, Ary Chalus, who is also the regional president. Chalus had initiated several dismissal procedures against Yssap-Rinçon, which were rejected by the administrative court, before she was sent to criminal court for breaching public procurement laws. In November 2023, a report from the regional audit office criticized the museum’s management, highlighting issues such as “untrue accounts,” “interference from the region” in one of its branch establishments, and a lack of a scientific project in a museum that failed to meet the ambitions of becoming a global center for research on the slave trade.
This report led to a scathing indictment from the financial prosecutor at the Court of Auditors a month prior to its release. Since 2019, the Memorial has also been under investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office regarding the construction contracts linked to the museum, which received tens of millions of euros in European subsidies. The aim of the museum was to focus on the history of the slave trade and slavery, yet the mismanagement and alleged corruption surrounding its operations have raised concerns about the misuse of public funds and potential lack of transparency in its functioning.
The Memorial ACTe’s troubles have exposed deep-seated issues within the institution, reflecting a broader concern about the management of public heritage sites and the safeguarding of historical memory. The clashes between the regional authorities and museum officials further underscore the challenges faced in preserving and commemorating the history of slavery. The legal repercussions faced by Yssap-Rinçon, along with the ongoing investigations into the museum’s financial dealings, highlight the need for greater accountability and transparency in the administration of cultural institutions dedicated to sensitive and crucial aspects of history.
The controversy surrounding the Memorial ACTe also brings to light the complexities of navigating the legacy of slavery in a postcolonial context, where historical injustices continue to shape contemporary society. The conflicting narratives and power dynamics at play within the museum reflect broader societal tensions around heritage, memory, and reconciliation. The legal proceedings against former museum officials and the scrutiny of public funds allocated to cultural institutions highlight the need for robust governance frameworks and ethical standards in handling sensitive historical narratives. Ultimately, the case of the Memorial ACTe serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of remembering and reckoning with the legacy of slavery in a globalized world where accountability and transparency are paramount in preserving collective memory.
