France acknowledges colonial-era violence in Cameroon
In the letter, Macron affirmed that it is his duty to accept France's role and responsibility in these events. He recognized the report's findings outlining the repression conducted by colonial authorities and the French army, including mass forced displacements and support for violent militias after Cameroon's independence in 1960.
Toward reconciliation and transparency
To move forward, Macron committed to opening French archives related to the colonial era, facilitating historical research, and establishing a bilateral working group to implement the commission's recommendations. These actions aim to enhance reconciliation and fortify Franco
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Cameroonian relations.
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Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Middle East Eye
France: 'From the River to the Sea' colouring book sparks far-right fury
A children's colouring book on the history and culture of Palestine is at the centre of a debate about the representation of Palestinians and pro-Palestine advocacy in France. Originally published in English, From the River to Sea by South African author and illustrator Nathi Ngubane was in the summer window display of the Violette and Co bookstore in Paris, alongside titles addressing themes of racism, colonialism and the Palestinian cause. This display triggered what the bookstore described as "intimidation, harassment, cyberbullying, defacement, and threats from the far right", starting in July. In a post on Instagram dated 11 August, Violette and Co, which identifies as a feminist and LGBTQIA+ space, detailed the graffiti on its storefront reading 'Islamocomplice' and 'Hamas rapist', "hateful, LGBT-phobic, sexist, and racist comments", as well as death threats. "A group of five people came to the bookstore to intimidate us," the statement continued, adding that right-wing media outlets in the country fuelled a "disinformation campaign" regarding the shop. From the River to the Sea was singled out by the media, politicians and social media users alike. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters French channel CNews decried the book as "teaching kids to hate Israel", while Europe 1 labelled its title a "Hamas slogan". The title is based on the decades-old chant "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free", widely used by pro-Palestinian campaigners. It refers to liberating the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea in historic Palestine. Propagande du Hamas… en coloriage pour enfants ? Vendu dans le 11eme chez Les Violette and CO. Un livre intitulé 'From the River to the Sea' est en vente. Et il est destiné aux plus jeunes. ➡️ Ce n'est pas un ouvrage d'analyse. C'est un album de coloriage. 🤔 ⬇️ — Jugé Coupable (@JCoupable) August 7, 2025 Translation: Hamas propaganda… in a colouring book for kids? Being sold in the 11th arrondissement at Les Violettes and Co. A book titled "From the River to the Sea" is on sale. And it's aimed at young children. This isn't a political analysis. It's a colouring book. Supporters of Israel claim it implies the destruction of the country. French MP Aurelien Veron joined the chorus, calling it an "appeal to the destruction of Israel", while MP Nelly Garnier and Isabelle Nizard, deputy mayor of the 16th arrondissement of Paris, called for the withdrawal of government subsidies granted to Violette and Co. Amid the backlash, some elected officials voiced their support for the bookstore, with Paris's deputy mayor, Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, posting on X: "Full support to the Violette and Co bookstore, which is currently facing a campaign of intimidation and harassement for placing a colouring book on Palestine in its window." Online, supporters defended the bookstore and the colouring book against attempts at "censorship". Many stated that the right-wing backlash was misplaced amid Israel's ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip. Soutien à la librairie Violette and Co qui subit des menaces et intimidations depuis quelques jours, en plus d'essuyer des insultes lesbophobes sur les réseaux sociaux. Ces obscurantistes qui sont plus dérangés par une librairie que par un génocide sont répugnants. — Marion Beauvalet (@MarionBeauvalet) August 12, 2025 Translation: Standing with the Violette and Co bookstore, which has been facing threats and intimidation for several days now, along with a flood of lesbophobic abuse on social media. The fact that these reactionary bigots are more outraged by a bookstore than by a genocide is nothing short of disgusting. "Certain struggles, particularly the Palestinian cause, unfortunately expose one to many aggressions and attempts at intimidation and censorship," said Turkish-Israeli-French historian Esther Benbassa in a solidarity message about Violette and Co. One commenter on Instagram said: "People are more offended by a colouring book than by genocide." The backlash also appeared to introduce the book and shop to new and curious readers. "The only good thing about this kind of rage-tweet is that they make you discover lots of people and initiatives," posted journalist Sihame Assbague on X. "If this pisses off the Zionists, then you should go buy this colouring book," said another user. 'Hysterical reaction' Violette and Co, which champions feminist and anti-colonial literature, stated it sought to promote diverse narratives through its display in an effort to counteract "homonationalist and femonationalist" political discourse. "We salute Violette and Co for continuing to elevate Palestinian narratives and for remaining steadfast," said Ngubane, the author and illustrator of the colouring book, in a statement. "The hysterical reaction from the French right wing shows Zionism for what it is: an ideology based on intimidation and supremacy," added the book's publisher, Social Bandit. The book covers key moments such as the Nakba - the ethnic cleansing of around 700,000 Palestinians from their homeland to make way for the creation of Israel - the ongoing Israeli occupation and Palestinian resistance movements. This isn't the first time From the River to the Sea has faced backlash from pro-Israeli groups. In June 2024, South Africa's biggest bookstore chain pulled the book from sales, sparking protest online.
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Middle East Eye
Spain signals support for UN-led mission to stabilise Gaza
Spain signalled support on Wednesday for French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal of an international coalition under a United Nations mandate to stabilise Gaza, calling it "one of the tools" that could bring peace to the region. Macron said on Monday that such a UN mission would be tasked with securing the Gaza Strip, protecting civilians and working in support of unspecified Palestinian governance. He said the UN Security Council should work on establishing the mission, while France would also work with its partners. "The proposal ... is one of the tools that can help achieve peace and security in Gaza and the Middle East, as is the work of Unrwa as the UN agency for aid to the Palestinian people," the Spanish ministry said in an emailed reply to questions from Reuters. "This force must be a step towards building the two-state solution," it added.
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Middle East Eye
Air traffic controller suspended in France for saying 'Free Palestine'
An air traffic controller was suspended in France after saying "Free Palestine" to an Israeli airline crew. The staff member at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport said the slogan during a radio exchange with the crew of an El Al flight on Monday, the French Ministry of Transport announced. "Analysis of the recordings proves that the facts are true," Minister Philippe Tabarot wrote on X on Tuesday. He added that the controller had "been deprived of all authority to work until further notice". "Disciplinary proceedings were immediately initiated. The sanction must be commensurate with the seriousness of the facts," Tabarot said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters For the minister, the incident violates "radiocommunication rules, which must be limited to the safety and regularity of air traffic" and demonstrates "a failure to respect the duty of civil servant confidentiality", which is the status of air traffic controllers in France. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) branded it an "unacceptable incident", which "contravenes both the imperative of political neutrality and the security protocols governing communications between a control tower and an aircraft during takeoff". A number of social media users criticised the move, however. "The urgent thing is to stop letting Israeli planes pollute our French skies and soil. We do not want to be complicit in the genocide in Gaza, apartheid and crimes in the West Bank," said one. Another user accused the minister of turning a "blind eye to flagrant violations of all international treaties, to a genocide unfolding before his eyes, tens of thousands dead, but he suddenly finds the dignity to protest against a possible violation of the telecommunications code." Pro-Palestine airlines controversies The incident is the latest in a line of pro-Palestine controversies that have taken place in Europe involving airlines in recent months. Last month, a video released on X appeared to show a female airport agent returning the papers of several people at an unidentified Paris airport, while telling them, "Free Palestine". Despite the lack of information surrounding the incident, it was nevertheless reported to ADP, the capital's airport manager, who said it had opened an investigation. ADP later confirmed that the scene was filmed at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, also known as Roissy airport, in mid-July, in a restricted area. Was it legal for France, Italy and Greece to let Netanyahu fly over their airspace? Read More » The employee implicated in the video was reportedly identified as an Air France contractor. "Passport checks on flights are carried out by an authorised external security company, in accordance with current local regulations," the airline told Le Figaro, adding it was "deeply committed to the values of hospitality, respect and neutrality". "We will ensure that these principles are reiterated in the strongest possible terms to this service provider, whose staff are subject to a duty of confidentiality," it said. Another recent incident that made headlines happened on a flight of the Spanish airline Iberia, where Jewish passengers received kosher meal trays tagged with handwritten messages reading "Free Palestine". Iberia described the incident, which took place earlier this month, as "unacceptable" and announced the opening of a "comprehensive" investigation, both internally and involving external meal providers, to "shed light on the facts and adopt all relevant measures". Israel's war on Gaza, which has so far killed 61,722 Palestinians since 7 October 2023 and has been described as a genocide by a growing number of states, rights organisations and legal experts, has provoked outcry across Europe and led to mass demonstrations and public acts of protest, sometimes targeting individual Israelis.
