Why is Algeria malevolent towards France?

France facing its colonial history

According to Emmanuel Macron, colonization constitutes a crime against humanity. The worst blunder uttered in the last 80 years by a politician! Besides, if Macron insists on this, why does he not mention the Arab-Muslim invasion of 642, which brought Islam to Afrique du Nord, and its religious, sociological, and cultural consequences to colonize the Berbère people?

But the result is there: Macron's colonial remorse has weakened France. For many French people, his policy towards the Algerian regime boils down to a complete failure. More than 70 years ago, the war of Algérie began. A very violent and complex conflict, which would last more than seven years, opposing the French army and the FLN, coupled with a civil war between Algerians.

When Macron apologizes, without asking at the same time for apologies from Algérie for the acts of terrorism of the FLN, the assassinations of thousands of French people, and the massacres of harkis, it is a heavy mistake.

It is unforgivable. When Macron recognizes the sovereignty of Maroc over Sahara occidental, it is a 360° change in French diplomacy in the region. Paris prioritized its relationship with Alger rather than with Rabat. Consequence: relations between France and Algérie have deteriorated and diplomatic relations are frozen (with the recall of the ambassador, the freezing of visas, the suspension of official contacts).

Even security cooperation against radical Islamists is at a standstill. In addition, Algérie has banned French fighter jets from flying over its territory to the Sahel. And economic relations are slowed down (projects for the manufacturer Renault plant in Oran, administrative obstacles to importing products necessary for their activities).

Even worse: the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal has been arrested, imprisoned since mid-November. At the same time, an Algerian activist whom France decided to expel, after Islamist videos and calls for violence against people opposing the Algerian regime, was sent back to French soil.

Cooperation by Algerian consulates to facilitate the return of their nationals to their country is highly restricted. Yet, in administrative detention centers, Algerians represent one-third of the 17,000 foreigners to be expelled.

The 1968 agreements in question

Horizons, Les Républicains, Renaissance and the Rassemblement National consider that the 1968 agreements between France and Algérie must be reviewed, if not abandoned. These agreements grant exorbitant rights to Algerians, including freedom of settlement in the case of a commercial or artisanal project, a 10-year residence permit after one year of residence, and a spouse's residence permit that can be obtained immediately after entering France!

The figure of 6 million Algerian immigrants and Algerians in France is probably false. In 1958, Jean-Marie Le Pen was already saying: "France needs Algérie, perhaps more than Algérie needs France." With the foresight and vision that characterized him, he was certainly right.