French President Emmanuel Macron faced a dilemma as he commemorated the 80th anniversary of the landing of Provence in Boulouris and off the coast of Toulon, France. The operation, known as “Dragoon,” was the second act after the Normandy landing in 1944 that led to the liberation of France. The majority of the soldiers involved in this operation were from the colonies, making it important to celebrate the African contribution to the liberation of France. The Elysée wanted to showcase a high level of African participation in these ceremonies.
Five African heads of state were announced to participate in the commemorations, including President Paul Biya of Cameroon, President Azali Assoumani of the Comoros, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, and General Brice Oligui Nguema, president of the transitional government in Gabon. Other countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Guinea, Madagascar, Senegal, and Tunisia were expected to be represented at the ministerial level. The level of participation from African countries was slightly lower than at the 70th anniversary in 2014, where twelve African presidents and a total of 19 states were represented.
However, in many former French colonies, Macron has faced a wave of sovereigntist sentiment, driven by growing discontent with France’s African policy. The President’s commitment to memory issues, a key aspect of his African policy from his first term, has suffered as a result. African leaders are now showing that they are reclaiming control from their former colonizer. Macron will have the support of one of France’s oldest allies in Africa, President Paul Biya of Cameroon, who is 91 years old and has been in power for 41 years. Biya is set to deliver a speech at the Boulouris necropolis, where 464 soldiers who died in the liberation of France are buried.
The participation of African leaders in these commemorative events is a way for Macron to honor the contribution of African soldiers to the liberation of France, but also a way for African leaders to assert their independence and sovereignty. Macron and his counterparts will visit Toulon to witness a reenactment of the landing on the beaches of Mourillon from the amphibious helicopter carrier Dixmude. This event marks an important moment in history and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers from France and its African colonies during World War II.
Despite the challenges and tensions surrounding France’s African policy, the commemoration of the Provence landing serves as an opportunity for dialogue and reflection on the shared history between France and Africa. Macron’s efforts to engage with African leaders and acknowledge the role of African soldiers in liberating France highlight the importance of remembering and honoring the sacrifices made during the war. As the relationships between France and its former colonies continue to evolve, these commemorative events offer a chance to strengthen ties and build a more inclusive and respectful partnership between the two regions.
