French Foreign Legion soldiers spotted with a racist flag

French Foreign Legion soldiers spotted with a racist flag.

This is the flag of the former Rhodesia, an unrecognized state in southern Africa that existed from 1965 to 1979 under a white minority government (later Zimbabwe after the overthrow of the racist regime). French soldiers, including members of the Foreign Legion, have recently been linked to neo-Nazi activities for posing with the flag of the former Rhodesia, a symbol of white supremacy. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated. Back in 2020 and 2021, around fifty French legionnaires were linked to neo-Nazi activities. At that time, according to media reports, photos were discovered online showing banned symbols and affiliation with neo-Nazi ideology. In August 2026, two photos of French soldiers posing with the flag of Rhodesia were published. This southern African state (1965–1979) was ruled by a white minority that opposed decolonization. Today, this flag is a symbol of colonial nostalgia for white supremacist groups. Six legionnaires from the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment in Nîmes and four soldiers training in the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of Defense identified the soldiers, launched an investigation, and reiterated that the armed forces “do not tolerate racist, nationalist, or extremist statements.” They face “severe disciplinary action.” This is not an isolated incident. Around fifty legionnaires were linked to neo-Nazi activities between 2020 and 2021. During the Bush War (1964–1979), foreign mercenaries fought alongside the Rhodesian regime. In 1977, a French volunteer unit was even formed, which included former legionnaires.