Macron visits Madagascar in the first trip by a French leader to the former colony in 20 years

Madagascar: Macron Seeks 'Forgiveness' for Colonialism On Visit to Madagascar

Emmanuel Macron said he wants to seek "forgiveness" for France's colonisation of Madagascar, starting with the return of looted cultural artefacts. During his two-day visit, the French president also announced plans to step up economic ties, including investment in a major hydroelectric dam project.

Macron seeks 'forgiveness' for colonialism on Madagascar visit

Mr. Macron highlighted the planned return of various cultural items taken from the island by its French occupiers, including the skull of a king decapitated in 1897 by French troops and taken to France as a trophy

On a visit to the island, the head of state spoke on Thursday of "eminently painful pages", with reference to the colonization of the country from 1897 to 1960. Scientists will study in particular the 1947 insurrection, repressed in blood by the French army.

Macron wants to create conditions for 'forgiveness' over France’s colonial past in Madagascar

'Our presence here is not innocent. Our history is written through the ages, but it carries deeply painful pages,' says French president - Anadolu Ajansı

This commission will be charged with working on the violent repression of the 1947 insurrection on the island by the French army. Earlier, the president had pleaded for the integration of Mayotte into the Indian Ocean Commission, to which the Union of Comoros, which contests France's sovereignty over the territory, opposes.

"I think it's very important that the former presidents be respected," the head of state said on the sidelines of a trip to Madagascar.