France observes National Day of Tribute to the Harkis

France observed the National Day of Tribute to the Harkis on September 25. During the ceremony, President Emmanuel Macron stated that the history of the Harkis will never be erased from national memory and pledged that France would continue to recognize their specific destiny for future generations.

Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo expressed gratitude toward the Harkis, describing their experience as being at the center of a “fratricidal war that went unnamed.” She also addressed the inhumane conditions under which many were received in France following their departure from Algeria, noting their settlement in camps and forest hamlets. The national day of tribute was officially established in 2023.