Why Does the Project to Criminalize French Colonization in Algeria Scare France?

For years, Algeria has been considering passing a law to officially criminalize French colonization (1830-1962), a prospect that deeply worries France. Such a law would challenge France’s official narrative about its colonial past, while also paving the way for demands for reparations, diplomatic sanctions, and a weakening of French influence in Africa. This article explores in detail why France fears this project so much.

1. An Inevitable Diplomatic Crisis

a. A Major Blow to Franco-Algerian Relations

France and Algeria have long had a turbulent relationship, with historical grievances resurfacing frequently. If Algeria passes a law criminalizing colonization:

• Diplomatic tensions would escalate further, similar to the 2021 crisis when Emmanuel Macron made controversial remarks about Algeria’s "politico-military regime."
• Bilateral cooperation on key issues such as migration, security, and trade would be severely impacted.
• Reconciliation efforts would become nearly impossible, as France would be officially recognized as a "state condemned for colonial crimes."

b. A Strong Message to the Arab World and Africa

If Algeria adopts this law, it could encourage other nations to officially condemn French colonialism, leading to a wave of international criticism, particularly from:

• African countries formerly colonized by France (such as Mali, Senegal, Madagascar).
• Other Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Morocco) that also suffered from French occupation.
• International organizations like the UN, which could be pressured to pass resolutions condemning France’s colonial past.

A formal condemnation of colonization would severely damage France’s global image, putting it on the defensive in diplomatic circles.

2. Fear of Financial Reparations

One of France’s biggest concerns is that criminalizing colonization could open the floodgates for massive financial demands.

a. Calls for Official Apologies and Compensation

If colonization is officially recognized as a crime, Algeria could:

• Demand an official apology from France, which Paris has long refused to issue clearly.
• Seek financial compensation for colonial crimes, potentially amounting to billions of euros.
• Hold France accountable for massacres committed during colonization, such as the 1945 massacres in Sétif, Guelma, and Kherrata, as well as the October 17, 1961, killings in Paris.

b. Legal Actions Against France in International Courts

Algeria could take legal action in:

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold France accountable for colonial atrocities.
• The UN Human Rights Council, seeking a global condemnation of France’s colonial crimes.

If such legal proceedings were successful, France could be forced to negotiate financial settlements, setting a precedent for other former colonies.

3. Fear of a Domino Effect in Other Former Colonies

If Algeria criminalizes colonization and secures some form of compensation, other former French colonies could follow suit.

a. Growing Demands from Other Nations

Countries that could make similar claims include:

• Vietnam, which could demand accountability for atrocities committed during the First Indochina War.
• Madagascar, where France brutally suppressed an uprising in 1947.
• West African nations, which could seek reparations for economic exploitation during colonization.

A surge of such claims would put France under constant pressure, making it increasingly difficult to maintain its historical stance.

4. A Direct Threat to French Influence in Africa

a. A Tool for Anti-French Sentiment in Africa

A formal condemnation of colonization in Algeria could become a powerful argument for African governments opposing French influence.

• Countries that have expelled French troops, such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, could use this law to justify a complete break with France.
• Russia, which is actively trying to replace French influence in Africa, could leverage this situation to strengthen its partnerships.
• China, which has been expanding its economic presence in Africa, could exploit this development to gain further traction.

b. Destabilization of France’s Relationships with Its Allies in North Africa

Countries like Morocco and Tunisia, traditionally close to France, could face domestic pressure to take a stand on the colonial issue, potentially straining their ties with Paris.

5. Domestic Impact in France: A Political and Social Earthquake

A criminalization law in Algeria would trigger major political and social debates in France, especially regarding historical memory.

a. Clashes with the Pied-Noir and Harki Communities

• The Pied-Noirs (European settlers in Algeria) would feel directly targeted, leading to heightened tensions in France.
• The Harkis (Algerians who fought for France) would find themselves in an even more precarious situation, as their historical role becomes further scrutinized.

b. A Political Firestorm in France

The law could be weaponized by far-right political parties, fueling nationalist rhetoric and hostility toward Algeria and its diaspora in France.

• Anti-immigration discourse could intensify, with accusations that Algeria is trying to "humiliate France."
• The French government would face a deep internal divide, as some political factions push for recognition of colonial crimes while others resist any acknowledgment.

6. Economic Sanctions and Boycotts Against France

If Algeria criminalizes French colonization, it could also take economic and diplomatic measures to pressure Paris.

• Calls for boycotting French products could gain traction in Algeria and other African nations.
• Algeria could reduce its economic ties with France, shifting its trade and investments toward China, Russia, or Turkey.
• France could lose even more strategic influence in Africa, particularly in energy and infrastructure projects.

Conclusion: France’s Fear Stems from Its Unresolved Colonial Past

Algeria’s proposed law criminalizing colonization represents a direct threat to France’s interests on multiple levels:

✅ Diplomatically, by worsening tensions between Paris and Algiers.

✅ Financially, by paving the way for demands for reparations.

✅ Geopolitically, by weakening France’s standing in Africa.

✅ Politically and socially, by triggering a crisis over colonial memory in France.

France fears this law because it has never fully confronted its colonial past. As long as this issue remains unresolved, it will continue to be a ticking time bomb in Franco-Algerian relations and a global controversy that could explode at any moment.