In Sétif, France acknowledges the “tragic events” of May 8, 1945
On May 8, 2026, Alice Rufo, the French junior minister for the armed forces and veterans, traveled to Sétif in Algeria. She was sent by President Emmanuel Macron to take part in a memorial ceremony. During this visit, France acknowledged the “tragic events” of May 8, 1945, in this city.
On May 8, 1945, while the end of the Second World War was being celebrated in Europe, demonstrations took place in Sétif and other regions of Algeria. These gatherings were followed by a violent repression. These events deeply marked the history between France and Algeria.
Alice Rufo’s visit is part of memory work between the two countries. By using the expression “tragic events,” the French authorities acknowledge the seriousness of what happened. This statement is an important symbolic gesture in relations between Paris and Algiers.
For several years, the question of colonial memory has held an important place in exchanges between France and Algeria. The commemorations, official statements, and symbolic gestures are closely watched by both countries. They can play a role in political and historical dialogue.
This visit to Sétif shows that the memory of May 8, 1945, remains a sensitive and central subject. France’s official recognition of these facts marks a new stage in memory work, even if debates about the colonial past are still ever-present.