A video circulating on TikTok, published on September 7, 2026, claims to show French President Emmanuel Macron apologizing to African countries for colonization. In the video, Macron appears to say, "My dear African people, I stand before you today with humility and respect. France recognizes the injustices, suffering, and crimes of colonization. We have broken lives, fractured cultures, and we bear responsibility for this." However, a fact-check by PesaCheck has revealed that the video is manipulated.
According to PesaCheck, the video was actually recorded in June 2021 during a visit by Macron to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, France. At the time, Macron announced the launch of COVID-19 vaccination for 12-18 year olds, the reopening of borders, and the gradual lifting of restrictions. A reverse image search revealed that the video had been published previously, and an analysis of the content using Hive Moderation and DeepFake-O-Meter showed that the audio was generated by artificial intelligence with a high degree of accuracy.
Further analysis of the video revealed a discrepancy between the movement of Macron's lips, arms, and the audio being played. A Google search with keywords related to Macron apologizing to Africa for colonization did not yield any results indicating that he had done so. In fact, in January 2023, Macron stated in an interview with Algerian writer Kamel Daoud that he did not need to apologize to Algeria for colonization.
The French government has been one of the European powers that colonized territories in Africa, with various consequences for the local populations. While Macron has acknowledged France's role in the Rwandan genocide, he did not issue an official apology. In May 2021, Macron asked the Rwandan people to forgive France for its role in the genocide, and in August 2025, he recognized the war waged by France against the Union of Cameroonian Populations (UPC) between 1945 and 1971.
PesaCheck is a fact-checking initiative that aims to help the public distinguish between fact and fiction in public statements, particularly those related to public finances and service delivery. The organization has partnered with Facebook and other social media platforms to identify and flag potentially misleading content. This fact-check was written by Ibrahima Olou Ndiaye and edited by Josaphat Finogbé, with approval from PesaCheck's editor-in-chief, Doreen Wainainah.
The manipulated video is part of a larger effort to spread misinformation on social media platforms. PesaCheck's work is crucial in providing the public with accurate information and context, particularly in the lead-up to elections or other critical events. By partnering with local media outlets and civil society organizations, PesaCheck aims to promote a culture of fact-based discourse and accountability.
The verification of this video highlights the need for critical thinking and media literacy in the digital age. As social media continues to play a significant role in shaping public opinion, initiatives like PesaCheck are essential in promoting a well-informed public discourse. By using technology and fact-checking expertise, PesaCheck is helping to build a more informed and critically thinking public.
Key points
- The video of Emmanuel Macron apologizing to African countries for colonization is manipulated and was actually recorded in June 2021.
- Macron has not officially apologized to African countries for colonization, despite acknowledging France's role in the Rwandan genocide and recognizing the war waged against the UPC in Cameroon.
- PesaCheck's fact-checking initiative aims to promote a culture of fact-based discourse and accountability in public statements, particularly those related to public finances and service delivery.
