“We are here like beggars, begging you”: Macron questioned during his speech on the Harkis – LCI

“We have experienced ignorance, humiliation”. Sixty years after the end of the Algerian war, Emmanuel Macron has “request forgiveness“Monday to harkis in the name of France. A subject always sensitive, as shown by the emotion reigning in the village hall of the Elysee.

Unprecedented fact, the speech of the president was indeed interrupted by two children of harkis. “I, so that I do not escape from the camp, burned my hand, my feet. Today, what I am telling you is only the trutha woman said to him, her voice trembling and tears in her eyes. Before continuing: “If I’m crying, it’s because my father sees it from up there. Today I’m here and I’m telling you how my heart is hurt. It’s not just my heart, it’s the heart of all those who died, who committed suicide. We are here like beggars, begging you. “

“Mr. Macron you made me promises. You made me promises, Mr. Macron”, a man continued. “These are not empty promises “, assured the Head of State, before the atmosphere regains its calm. “There is no word that will mend your burns and what you have been through”, also recognized the President of the Republic.

“After the Algerian war, France failed in its duties towards the harkis, their wives, their children”, said the Head of State, speaking at the Elysee Palace in front of some 300 representatives of this community estimated at 800,000 people. “The Republic has contracted a debt towards them (…) To abandoned combatants, to their families who have been in prison, I ask their forgiveness. We will not forget”, he added.