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FRANCE 24's prime time interview of the day goes beyond the headlines: join us as news-making guests from around the globe go in depth on the stories that matter. Every day at 6:15pm Paris time.

  1. 23 hr ago

    France's recognition of its role in 1994 Rwanda genocide marks historic turning point

    François Picard is pleased to welcome Juliette Bour, historian and author of a forthcoming book in French entitled "Like Men: Women Politicians Complicit in the Rwandan Genocide". More than three decades after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, France continues to confront difficult questions about its political, military and diplomatic role during one of the most horrific atrocities of the 20th century. The inauguration of a memorial and monument in Paris, attended by President Emmanuel Macron, marks another step in a long and contentious process of historical reckoning. Read moreMacron unveils Rwanda genocide memorial in Paris, marking 'quest for truth' Bour's book examines the role of women involved in the genocide in Rwanda and reflects on how the debate has evolved. For her, the publication of the Duclert Commission report and the opening of French archives fundamentally transformed the conversation, helping to "set a truth about what happened in Rwanda and the role of France". Yet she argues that this recognition remains incomplete and contested. "There are still people that are denying the role of France," she observes, particularly among former political actors and those invested in defending decisions taken in 1994. Watch moreRwanda, story of a genocide foretold Drawing on years of fieldwork and archival research, Bour highlights the growing body of evidence showing that warnings about escalating violence reached French officials before the genocide. She also contrasts France's slow acknowledgment of responsibility with Belgium's earlier efforts at self-examination, noting that "the main difference between the attitude of Belgium and France is that Belgium asked for forgiveness in the early 2000s." Read moreFrance reopens probe into Rwanda’s ex-first lady over 1994 genocide Our guest also turns to one of the most controversial unresolved questions: the case of Agathe Habyarimana, widow of former Rwandan president Juvénal Habyarimana, who has lived in France for decades. Bour argues that her presence in France remains emblematic of wider failures of accountability. More broadly, she contends that the decades-long delay in prosecuting genocide suspects residing in France was a reflection of French policy.

    10 min

  2. 1 day ago

    Why are so many young people leaving Martinique?

    We're joined by Renée Bertini, a journalist with ENTR's English-language team, who takes us to Martinique, one of France's overseas departments in the Caribbean. She explains the main issues faced by young people in Martinique (a lack of academic and job opportunities, as well as a complex colonial legacy) and how this situation is pushing so many of them to leave for mainland France.

    9 min

  3. 2 days ago

    'Not Western version of democracy': 147 constituencies allegedly excluded from Ethiopia's election

    As Ethiopians head to the polls, François Picard is pleased to welcome Jervin Naidoo, Political Analyst at Oxford Economics Africa. While official narratives emphasise stability and democratic progress, significant portions of the country remain excluded from voting, raising concerns about representation, legitimacy and the consolidation of power. Naidoo argues that while voting has proceeded in much of the country, the exclusion of Tigray and dozens of constituencies elsewhere constitutes "a big problem" that "hurts the government's legitimacy." All the while, he acknowledges Ethiopia's considerable economic potential, describing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as "an amazing piece of infrastructure, not just for Ethiopia, but for Africa." Read moreEthiopia votes in elections expected to give Abiy's party a landslide win Naidoo describes a country suspended between promise and peril. Ethiopia remains one of Africa's most strategically important economies, with "underlying green shoots" that continue to attract investors. Yet he warns of mounting political centralisation, growing feelings of exclusion among key ethnic constituencies and the possibility that access to the sea could become an increasingly destabilising geopolitical objective. Watch moreEthiopian capital Addis Ababa gets a facelift, but at what cost? Looking ahead, he predicts that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, if strengthened by another overwhelming electoral victory, may seek further measures "to consolidate control," while tensions across the Horn of Africa risk becoming even more pronounced. What emerges is a portrait of a nation whose ambitions remain vast, but whose democratic and regional challenges continue to cast a long shadow over its future.

    6 min

  4. 3 days ago

    Colombia's election: Meeting the presidential contenders

    As Colombians head to the polls, FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee speaks to The Economist's Latin America Correspondent Kinley Salmon about what's at stake for Colombia, whether a hard-right populist who calls himself "The Tiger" could become president and why security is still the main worry for voters there. Read moreColombia votes in presidential election pitting Petro allies against pro-Trump candidates Whatever the outcome, there will be a new leader. Gustavo Petro, the first ever left-wing president in Colombia's history, could only run for one term in office. So who's next? You can also read Kinley's profile "Of Tigers and Terrorists" in The Economist.  Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophille Vareille, Emmanuel Miculita and Alessandro Xenos

    11 min

  5. 4 days ago

    Putin's quest to avoid the Grim Reaper: What's behind $26 billion longevity programme?

    The Wall Street Journal's award-winning chief European political correspondent Bojan Pancevski speaks to FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee about the anti-ageing efforts Russian President Vladimir Putin is undertaking and Russia's $26 billion, state-backed programme for longevity. Bojan also speaks about his forthcoming book "The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook the World". Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophille Vareille, Emmanuel Miculita, Guillaume Gougeon and Alessandro Xenos

    20 min

  6. 4 days ago

    Gaudy or great? Trump's White House cage fight

    A massive structure on the lawn of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has been nicknamed "The Claw" because of its 90-foot-tall steel arches. It currently dwarfs the US president's residence and consists of camera rigs, a lighting grid, and an overhead canopy in case of rain. The structure is being assembled for the first professional sporting event ever held on the White House grounds: a UFC event called UFC Freedom Day 250, scheduled for June 14, coinciding with US President Donald Trump's birthday, and forming part of the broader celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Trump has described it as potentially "the greatest show on Earth". Critics, however, have called it a monstrosity, lacking in class, tone-deaf, overtly political and too closely tied to Trump's birthday. Meanwhile, Joe Rogan – the sport's most famous commentator and the world's most-listened-to podcaster – has described the event as "odd" and said he does not like the idea. Sean Gregory, Time Magazine's sports correspondent, speaks to FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee from New York. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophille Vareille, Emmanuel Miculita, Guillaume Gougeon and Alessandro Xenos

    13 min

  7. 5 days ago

    Romania hit by drone strike: Foreign minister speaks to FRANCE 24

    It was 2am when the explosion hit: a Russian drone smashing into the tenth floor of an apartment block in the Romanian town of Galati, just 11 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter, while emergency alerts were sent to residents across the affected region. Two people were injured and the apartment building was swiftly evacuated. The incident has sparked condemnation across NATO capitals and raised fresh concerns about the growing risks along the alliance's eastern flank. Read moreRussia accused of launching drone that hit apartment block in Romania, but Putin demands proof European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "Putin has crossed another line", while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the strike as "reckless behaviour" and "a danger to us all". Romania's interim Chief of Defence Staff, General Gheorghe Maxim, said the drone strike in Galati was not "an attack from Russia against Romania", but warned that "Romanians should understand that Russia is a threat to the security of the countries in the area". Romanian President Nicusor Dan also reacted strongly to the incident, as pressure mounts on NATO to respond to an increasingly volatile security situation near its borders. To discuss more, FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee is joined by Romania's Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophille Vareille, Emmanuel Miculita, Guillaume Gougeon and Alessandro Xenos

    9 min

  8. 5 days ago

    'We need Operation Eastern Sentry': Romania 'facing Russian threat every week'

    Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome prominent Romanian journalist, TV anchor and military analyst Radu Tudor. As tensions continue to rise along NATO's eastern frontier, the latest drone incident in Romania has once again exposed the growing security dilemmas facing frontline alliance states. Tudor sees a pattern of Russian aggression, the vulnerabilities of NATO's eastern flank and the urgent need for stronger allied military capabilities in the region. Read morePutin alleges drone that struck Romanian apartment building could have been Ukrainian Drawing on decades of experience covering NATO summits since 1994, Tudor rejects Russian denials regarding the drone strike, arguing that Romanian and NATO surveillance systems possess overwhelming evidence of its origin. More significantly, he frames the incident within a broader strategic context, warning that Romania faces "the Russian threat every week" and that similar incidents are likely to continue. Tudor repeatedly emphasises that Romania is not seeking symbolic gestures but practical military support, arguing that NATO should "transfer all the NATO capabilities from the Western flank to the Eastern flank" because the countries bordering Ukraine are bearing the greatest security risks. Among the most striking moments is his blunt dismissal of Kremlin denials: "I don't think President Putin will start to say the truth after 27 years." Equally revealing is his characterisation of Romania's strategic predicament: "We are here in the eastern flanks facing the Russian threat every week." Taken together, Tudor's remarks offer a revealing window into how many policymakers, analysts and security commentators in Eastern Europe perceive the war's spillover risks. His analysis reflects a growing conviction that NATO's future credibility will depend not merely on declarations of solidarity, but on the tangible deployment of military capabilities where alliance members feel most exposed. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophille Vareille, Emmanuel Miculita, Guillaume Gougeon and Alessandro Xenos

    11 min
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FRANCE 24's prime time interview of the day goes beyond the headlines: join us as news-making guests from around the globe go in depth on the stories that matter. Every day at 6:15pm Paris time.

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    FRANCE 24 English
  • Years Active
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  • Episodes
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