Title: The memorial to the victims of the UTA crash vandalized: a heinous act that must be condemned
Introduction :
In a heinous and disrespectful act, the memorial erected to honor the 170 victims of the 1989 UTA Flight DC10 crash in Niger was vandalized. This information, revealed by the weekly Le Canard Enchaîné, aroused emotion and dismay among both the victims’ families and public opinion. This incomprehensible act of malevolence calls into question our duty to remember and underlines the importance of protecting places of commemoration.
Shocking and unexplained destruction:
The monument, located 500 km from Agadez and Zinder, in the middle of the desert, was a symbol of the memory of the victims of this tragic attack. It represented not only the lives lost during the crash, but also the grief shared by families of different nationalities affected by this tragedy. The intentional destruction of this memorial is an affront to the dignity of the victims and their loved ones.
An act without apparent motivation:
The association of victims of the UTA flight, chaired by Guillaume Denoix de Saint Marc, was informed of this desecration by Toubous people passing through the region. This destruction created general incomprehension, because the memorial was apolitical and had been unanimously accepted by the families of the victims of 18 different nationalities. It is essential to emphasize that 99 Africans were among the passengers of the flight, thus showing the transversal and universal dimension of this commemoration.
Reactions and actions to take:
Faced with this violation of the victims’ memory, the association intends to contact the Nigerien authorities so that measures can be taken to repair the damage caused and prevent such acts in the future. It is essential that those responsible for this vandalism are identified and brought to justice, so that justice can be done for the victims and their families.
Conclusion :
The destruction of the memorial to the victims of the UTA crash in Niger is a shocking and revolting act. It raises questions about preserving our duty of memory and commemoration. It is crucial that the authorities take adequate measures to repair the damage and protect these places of memory. Solidarity and collective condemnation of this barbaric act are essential to preserve our humanity and respect the memory of the victims.