On May 8, 1945, while allies celebrated Germany's surrender, Algerians in Setif demanded independence from France, leading to a brutal massacre by French forces. The violence ignited further retaliations and similar protests across colonial territories. While VE Day symbolized European victory, it did not extinguish ongoing colonial struggles, evident in simultaneous uprisings in places like Syria, Nigeria, and Indonesia. These events underscore a complex narrative of liberation, showing that the end of WWII did not equate to the end of oppression in colonial regions, prompting reflection on both historical and contemporary fascism's resurgence in Europe.
This was no isolated incident. There were similar protests that month against French colonial rule in Syria and Lebanon; six weeks later came a general strike in British-ruled Nigeria.
The French police opened fire, unleashing a spiral of violence resulting in a notorious massacre. Algerian independence militants retaliated by killing about 100 settlers.
This is not just about celebrating victory over the Nazis; it’s a moment for the continent to reflect on colonial atrocities toward its own people.
VE Day marked the cessation of fighting in Europe, but did not mark an end to Europe's battles and atrocities elsewhere.
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