On August 23, 1957, a confidential CIA document was drafted, revealing crucial insights into French policy toward Algeria, then in the midst of its war of independence. Recently declassified, this document sheds new light on France’s intentions regarding the oil-rich Saharan regions and its post-independence strategies. Through diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical maneuvers, Paris sought to maintain its grip on this strategically vital territory.
An Indispensable Algerian Sahara for France
According to the document, France regarded the Algerian Sahara as a region of paramount importance—not only for its oil and gas resources but also for its strategic position in North Africa. With this in mind, Paris was determined to secure its control over the area at all costs, administratively detaching it from the rest of Algeria. This policy materialized in 1957 with the creation of two separate Saharan departments—an initiative designed to ensure that even in the event of Algerian independence, France would retain access to its oil and gas fields.
A Deliberate Infrastructure Strategy
The document also reveals that France deliberately avoided constructing gas or oil pipelines linking the Sahara to northern Algeria. Such infrastructure would have facilitated resource access for a future independent Algerian state—an outcome Paris sought to prevent at all costs.
Instead, France favored close cooperation with Spain, which at the time controlled Western Sahara. Advanced discussions took place regarding the transportation of Saharan oil through Spanish-held territory, allowing Paris to bypass an independent Algeria and safeguard its energy autonomy. The Francoist regime in Spain, recognizing the strategic value of this alliance, committed to maintaining its presence in the region, thereby reinforcing European influence over these valuable resources.
Diplomatic Maneuvers with Libya
Another striking aspect of the document concerns border tensions with Libya. At the time, Libya laid claim to several Saharan oil fields, particularly those of Zarzaitine, Edjeleh, and Tiguentourine—assets of significant economic value. To neutralize these claims, France is alleged to have bribed Libyan Prime Minister Mustafa Ben Halim to secure border agreements that served its interests.
This revelation highlights the covert methods employed by Paris to maintain control over Saharan resources, including clandestine diplomacy and financial inducements. This policy not only shaped Franco-Libyan relations but also had lasting repercussions on regional stability.
A Geopolitical Gambit: Morocco’s Role and the Sand War
The CIA document also draws attention to a troubling coincidence: the geographical location of Algeria’s major oil reserves in the southwest coincided with Morocco’s territorial claims. This situation culminated in the Sand War of October 1963, during which Morocco attempted to seize newly independent Saharan territories.
While the concept of a "Greater Morocco" had emerged as early as 1955—before Algeria’s hydrocarbon wealth was fully realized—the discovery of these resources further emboldened Moroccan ambitions. A swift military victory could have enabled Rabat to lay claim to these natural riches, securing a significant economic advantage.
The precise role of American intelligence in this affair remains an open question. Given Washington’s close ties with Morocco, one might reasonably ask whether the U.S. facilitated Rabat’s access to sensitive information, thereby influencing regional tensions.
Partially Concealed Revelations
Despite its significance, the CIA document has not been fully declassified. Two of its six pages remain classified, likely containing even more sensitive details regarding the power dynamics between France, the United States, and North African nations.
This lack of transparency raises pressing questions:
- What were the true terms of the agreements between Paris and Madrid regarding Saharan oil exploitation?
- What role did the United States play in France’s strategy?
- Did France consider alternative scenarios for maintaining its presence in the Sahara after 1962?
This lack of transparency raises pressing questions:
- What were the true terms of the agreements between Paris and Madrid regarding Saharan oil exploitation?
- What role did the United States play in France’s strategy?
- Did France consider alternative scenarios for maintaining its presence in the Sahara after 1962?
Conclusion: Redefining Post-Colonial Stakes
The revelations from this document offer a fresh perspective on France’s motivations in Algeria. Far from being driven solely by political or ideological considerations, Paris’s policies were dictated by overarching economic and strategic interests.
With its vast energy reserves, the Algerian Sahara represented a crucial asset that France was unwilling to relinquish easily. These largely overlooked strategies underscore the fact that African independence was not determined solely on the battlefield but also in the realm of diplomacy and economic maneuvering.
As debates over Franco-Algerian relations remain contentious, these declassified documents serve as a reminder that colonial history is also a history of concealed strategic interests—whose repercussions continue to resonate today.
By Belgacem Merbah
References
- Declassified CIA document dated August 23, 1957.
- Historical studies on Franco-Algerian relations.
- Geopolitical analyses of border conflicts in North Africa.
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