Outrage Over Retailleau’s ‘Arrogant’ Response to Murder of Young Muslim in France
Numerous voices from the political realm and civil society in France continue to criticize Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for his “arrogant” and “irresponsible” behavior following the recent murder of a young Muslim man at a mosque. Calls are growing for him to step aside in favor of someone “more deserving” and “more compassionate.”
During a statement made to family members of Aboubakeur Cissé, who gathered to monitor the progress of their son’s murder case, Marine Tondelier, the national secretary of the Greens, expressed her “outrage” and “shock.”
“I am appalled and deeply dismayed to learn that Retailleau has refused to meet with the victim’s family. I find this utterly disrespectful, indecent, and insensitive!” she exclaimed, emphasizing that “the role of the Interior Minister, by definition, is to ensure the cohesion of institutions.”
Regretting the persistence of “double standards” in France, Tondelier suggested that “if Aboubakeur Cissé had been Catholic and murdered in a church, Retailleau would not have merely visited a nearby town; he would have entered the church, met the family, and expressed much stronger sentiments!”
Amina Konté-Boune, vice president of the International Confederation of Soninké Associations, strongly condemned Bruno Retailleau’s indifferent and haughty attitude toward the victim’s family, whom he still refuses to meet, questioning “why he remains in his position.”
“It seems that this representative of the nation has completely forgotten! We wonder what he is doing in that role!” she exclaimed.
Echoing similar sentiments, the deputy mayor of the 18th arrondissement of Paris and a member of the Association for the Promotion of the Soninké Language and Culture, Mam Yafaa, also expressed being “extremely shocked” by Retailleau’s continued refusal to meet the victim’s family. “We still do not understand this!” he stated, hoping that “justice will ultimately prevail.”
For context, several political figures, members of Parliament, and other actors from French civil society have denounced Retailleau’s dismissive attitude toward the unpunished murder of Cissé, asserting that such behavior can only “fuel Islamophobia and hatred, undermining the values of justice and coexistence in the country.”
Some members of Parliament have even called for the resignation of Bruno Retailleau.
