French Ambassador to Algeria Stéphane Romatet made his first public statements upon returning to the country on Friday, coinciding with the visit of French Junior Defense Minister Alice Rufo to participate in the commemoration of the May 8, 1945 massacres in the Sétif region.
Speaking exclusively to dzwatch, Romatet expressed deep emotion upon his return: “I am happy to be here. I returned to Algeria today and it began in Sétif — these are deeply emotional moments after a year away from this country that I love dearly.”
He added: “From the moment the plane’s wheels touched the tarmac at Sétif airport, I felt profoundly moved, with the feeling of returning to Algerian soil. I am honored to be here on this important day that falls on May 8.”
Minister Rufo and Ambassador Romatet arrived in Sétif in the morning, heading to the site of the massacres committed by French forces against peaceful demonstrators. They laid a wreath of flowers before the memorial of martyr Bouzid Saal.
Following the ceremony, the French official stressed the necessity of “showing courage to face history” with “full respect and recognition of the facts.”
