ALGERIAN PATRIOTS - ENGLISH

The recent visit of Nicolas Lerner, Director-General of the French Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), to Algiers comes at a critical juncture in Franco-Algerian relations. Following France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara—a decision that sparked Algeria's ire and was perceived as an affront to its national security—many questions arise regarding Paris’s objectives. With security cooperation between the two countries suspended since last summer, this visit appears to be a calculated and strategic step in navigating these troubled waters. A Bilateral Relationship Under Strain France’s 2024 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara delivered a diplomatic blow to Algeria, which has long supported the Polisario Front and advocates for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. For Algeria, this issue is not just a matter of foreign policy but a national principle tied to its regional influence. Paris’s stance reinforced M...

The relationship between France and Algeria is marked by recurring tensions, reflecting a shared yet often contentious history. These tensions are particularly evident in the debates surrounding France's  French Development Agency (FDA) to Algeria. In the context of escalating diplomatic strains, some French officials, especially from the right and far-right political spectrum, have used this aid as a tool of leverage. However, a closer analysis of the figures and the utilization of this aid reveals a reality far removed from political rhetoric. Aid Considered Marginal by Algeria According to Algerian sources reported by various media outlets, French FDA provides little to no direct benefit to the Algerian state. In 2022, this aid amounted to €132 million , and over five years, it totaled approximately €600 million , according to a report published by France Info based on parliamentary findings. While these figures might appear substantial, the underlying details paint a dif...

The recent affair involving the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, and the failed attempt to deport an activist named "Boualem" to Algeria has made a mockery not of France, but of a minister obsessed with media spectacle. Behind fiery declarations and thinly veiled threats against Algeria lies a more embarrassing reality: a political and diplomatic failure orchestrated by a man seeking to capitalize on a delicate issue to attract attention. An "humiliation" that concerns only Retailleau Bruno Retailleau's narrative, framing this episode as an "insult to France," is more of a staged attempt to mask his own missteps. In truth, Algeria did not "humiliate France"; it simply refused to yield to a hasty and legally questionable move. The activist’s forced return to France, following a brief stay of just a few hours on the tarmac of Algiers airport, was the logical outcome of an unprepared and poorly executed unilateral decision. Wha...

Three Algerian influencers, prominent figures on social media, find themselves at the center of a judicial storm in France today. The pretext? Alleged illegal statements made on digital platforms. Yet, this case goes far beyond the mere application of the law: it exposes a dual-speed justice system, shameless political manipulation, and a clear intent to silence a constantly stigmatized community. Systematic Targeting of a Community Under Pressure For decades, the Algerian community in France has been scrutinized, dissected, and reduced to the role of scapegoats for French society’s problems. This obsession is no accident; it is the result of a carefully orchestrated strategy by political forces unable to address the economic and social crises plaguing the country. By designating the “Other”—in this case, Algerians—as responsible, these elites aim to divert citizens' attention from their own failures. Today, this stigmatization machine has become more sophisticated, finding a new a...

Morocco relies on spectacular announcements, showcasing grand ambitions that are often devoid of realism and funding, thus revealing a motivation that is more political than economic. In contrast, Algeria, driven by its pan-African vision, stands out through concrete and impactful achievements, built on its national resources and universally recognized expertise. Neither Africans nor the international community can be deceived: these initiatives, which resemble diversionary tactics, share a common denominator. They aim to fabricate a false legitimacy for the illegal colonization of Western Sahara under the pretext of African solidarity. In the long run, African nations will be able to distinguish sincere commitments from hollow promises. True to its principles of integration and regional development, Algeria continues to strengthen its position as a major and indispensable player in Africa's progress. The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: A Distant Dream? The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipe...

Relations between Algeria and Mali are currently experiencing a period of heightened tensions, marked by mutual accusations and deep disagreements over the management of security crises in the Sahel. This situation reflects not only bilateral disputes but also the geopolitical and strategic challenges affecting the entire region. Context and Escalation of Tensions On January 1, 2025, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement accusing Algeria of supporting terrorist groups and interfering in its internal affairs. These allegations followed remarks by Algeria’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, who opposed the categorization of political movements, signatories of the 2015 Algiers Peace Accord, as terrorist groups. The Malian government, led by a military junta that came to power through the May 2021 coup, dismissed these statements as "unnecessary lessons" and accused Algeria of complicity with destabilizing actors in the Sahel. This war of words takes place in the con...