France and Madagascar to Reexamine 1947 Insurrection Through Joint Historical Commission

Macron Announces Historical Reconciliation Initiative

Antananarivo, Madagascar – During his official visit on April 24, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the establishment of a joint Franco-Malagasy historical commission to investigate the controversial 1947 insurrection and subsequent colonial repression.

Addressing Historical Wounds

The decision comes as Madagascar continues to grapple with the legacy of colonial violence. While some scholars, including University of Antananarivo professor Jeannot Rasoloarison, advocate for a broader examination of all anti-colonial movements since 1897, the 1947 uprising remains particularly significant in national memory.

Novelist Michèle Rakotoson, whose family members suffered during the repression, shared her emotional connection to these events: “When people mention 1947, my stomach knots. I see the peasants who rose up only to be abandoned and nearly wiped out – as if this history was never properly told.”

The Path to Historical Clarity

The joint commission aims to shed light on one of the darkest chapters in Franco-Malagasy relations, offering potential closure for affected families while contributing to a more complete historical record of Madagascar’s colonial period.

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