French President Pays Tribute to Colonial Soldiers on 80th Anniversary of Allied Landings
In a poignant ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron honored the soldiers recruited from France’s colonies who fought alongside Allied forces during World War II. The commemoration, marking the 80th anniversary of Operation Dragoon, was held in Boulouris-sur-Mer, where nearly 500 soldiers who died for France are buried.
Macron paid tribute to the soldiers, saying they were “conscious of fighting for a cause much larger than the cliffs, the danger or their lives.” He added that they were “ready to die so that France can live freely.” The French President emphasized the crucial role these soldiers played in the Allied victory, stating, “There would not have been an Allied victory without the contribution of other people, without foreigners.”
Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who was among the six African heads of state in attendance, echoed Macron’s sentiments. “Africans paid a large price for the Allied victories,” he said, adding that the fight was “fought together, to defend the universal values and ideals of peace and justice.”
The ceremony was attended by African leaders from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Gabon, Morocco, and Togo. Several other African countries, including Niger, Mali, and Algeria, declined the invitation due to diplomatic tensions.
However, the commemoration was disrupted by the risk of violent storms along the coast, forcing the cancellation of most events, including a reenactment of the landing on Lido beach in Toulon and a parachutist landing. Macron was scheduled to hold a working meeting with the heads of state after the ceremony.
The 80th anniversary of Operation Dragoon is a significant milestone, as it marked a crucial turning point in the war, paving the way for the Allied victory in Europe.
