ALGERIAN PATRIOTS - ENGLISH

The date of August 24, 2021, will remain etched in the annals of Algerian diplomacy as the moment when Algeria, through the voice of Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, announced the severance of its diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Morocco. This decision, described as historic, was not the result of emotional overreaction or an isolated incident. Rather, it represents the culmination of a long series of provocations, recurrent hostilities, and destabilizing attempts, the roots of which trace back to the very founding of the Moroccan monarchy as we know it today. In this solemn declaration, Algeria took a firm and unequivocal stance, no longer viewing Morocco as a brotherly Maghreb neighbour, but as a disruptive actor threatening its stability and that of the broader region. The symbolism of the chosen date — the anniversary of Morocco's accusations against Algeria following the 1994 Marrakech attacks — lends a powerful memorial dimension to Algeria’s decision. I. The "Grea...

After months of unprecedented tension between Algiers and Paris, high-level talks have resumed between the two capitals. Three days after a phone call between Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Emmanuel Macron, the foreign ministers of both countries, Jean-Noël Barrot and Ahmed Attaf, held discussions on April 3. This diplomatic sequence paves the way for a new phase of active negotiations, which could lead to a thaw in relations—provided that the major points of contention are addressed with due seriousness. A Revived Dialogue, Still Far from Normalization The March 31 conversation between Tebboune and Macron signaled a shared political will to renew dialogue after an eight-month diplomatic freeze triggered by disputes over historical memory, migration, and remarks deemed unacceptable by Algiers. That presidential call led to the drafting of a ten-point bilateral roadmap, intended to guide the relaunch of cooperation in sensitive areas such as security, migration, justice, economi...

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 independenc...

The growing prominence of Elnet (European Leadership Network) in French politics is now undeniable. Yesterday in Paris, this pro-Israel lobbying group gathered nearly 2,000 attendees, including several ministers and leading figures from the French political landscape. The event, centered around the theme “For the Republic, For France, Against Islamism” , underscores Elnet’s increasing sway over national decision-makers. Among the speakers were Manuel Valls, Bruno Retailleau, and Éric Danon—regulars at such platforms. These figures, known for their strong stances on security and international affairs, illustrate Elnet’s ability to rally high-ranking political support. Officially, the organization presents itself as an “independent network” aimed at “strengthening relations between France, Europe, and Israel.” Unofficially, however, its ambitions appear more far-reaching: to become a European counterpart to AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobby in the United States. A Growing Politica...

Relations between Algeria and France are facing a major diplomatic storm, exacerbated by Paris’ recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in July 2024. This decision, which aligns with France’s continued support for Morocco, has been perceived by Algiers as a direct threat to its strategic interests and a challenge to its long-standing position on the Sahrawi issue. In response, Algeria has recalled its ambassador from France, marking a sharp break with Paris. This strong diplomatic move reflects growing frustration over what is seen as France’s increasingly pronounced alignment with Morocco’s stance. A Firm Algerian Stance Like Never Before While some observers, particularly on the Moroccan side, have interpreted recent statements by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as a sign of a softening Algerian position on Western Sahara, the reality is quite the opposite. Far from any shift, these statements underscore a deliberate and resolute strengthening of Algeria’s stance. By...

Éric Zemmour, a controversial figure in the French media and political landscape, has exhibited a persistent fascination with Algeria’s history. Through his statements, he seeks to deny the existence of an Algerian nation prior to French colonization, embracing an ideological narrative that disregards the most well-established historical facts. Why such insistence? What underlying motives drive this denial of an undeniable historical reality? Born in France in 1958, Éric Zemmour comes from a family of Algerian Jews . His ancestors, originally from the Constantine region, were among those granted French citizenship through the Crémieux Decree in 1870 , during the colonial era. Yet, despite these roots, Zemmour categorically rejects any connection to Algeria and claims an exclusively French identity. A staunch critic of dual nationality and any notion of multiple identities, he upholds assimilation as an absolute principle and champions a vision of France in which colonial heritage is ...

The diplomatic standoff between Algiers and Paris continues to escalate, fueled by repeated accusations of non-compliance with international commitments. The latest episode unfolded after Algeria published its response rejecting France’s new initiative—a list of Algerian nationals subject to expulsion orders. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to lash out at Algeria once again, accusing it of violating its international obligations. However, repeating an accusation does not make it true. This ongoing blame game demands a thorough examination of the facts to determine, once and for all, who is truly upholding international law and who is flouting it . Five key elements shed light on this issue. 1 – A Legitimate Algerian Refusal Based on Solid Legal Grounds Contrary to France’s claims, Algeria did not reject the expulsion list out of sheer opposition. Its stance is based on a simple yet crucial legal reality : no bilateral agreement mandate...

The recent case involving an employee of the French Ministry of Economy, who has been indicted for intelligence activities with a foreign power—specifically Algeria—and is suspected of having transmitted sensitive information to the Algerian authorities about opponents based in France, sheds a stark light on the complexity of relations between Paris and these dissidents. According to a source close to the investigation, an Algerian agent sought information from this Bercy employee about Algerian nationals, including well-known opposition figures such as Mohamed Larbi Zitout and Amir Boukhors , both of whom are the subject of an international arrest warrant for terrorism. Other influential figures were also affected, such as influencer Chawki Benzehra , as well as a refugee journalist and an Algerian who filed a complaint in France against a general . Some of these individuals are said to have been victims of violence, death threats, or even kidnapping attempts, according to the same s...

France, once a key global power, now faces a harsh reality: its influence in Africa has collapsed. Expelled from multiple African countries under humiliating circumstances, it has lost access to strategic resources and the economic advantages it once derived from its former colonies. Military bases have been dismantled, French companies have seen their privileges reduced, and exports to Africa have plummeted due to new taxes and restrictions. This forced retreat has triggered a deep crisis in Paris. The French economy, which long benefited from exploiting Africa’s wealth, is now faltering under this new reality. Diplomatically, the situation is no better. Some European Union member states are even questioning France’s status as a major power, suggesting that its permanent seat on the UN Security Council could be transferred to Germany. In an attempt to recover, Paris is desperately seeking to reposition itself. One of its strategies involves forming a strategic alliance with Morocco ...

The book Les Scénarios noirs de l’armée française by Alexandra Saviana presents a series of hypotheses about potential conflicts involving France and its neighbors by 2030. Among these scenarios, one of the most striking concerns a supposed war between Algeria and Morocco in August 2025, just before the major Franco-Moroccan military exercises "Chergui 2025" scheduled for September. This highly speculative vision falls within a tradition of alarmist narratives often disconnected from the military and strategic realities of the region. A biased view of the Algerian-Moroccan balance of power One of the book’s scenarios describes an alleged Algerian offensive on Oujda, which would result in a "resounding" failure for Algeria. This hypothesis is based on a flawed perception of the military balance between the two countries. The Algerian army: a vastly superior force Contrary to the book’s implications, Algeria possesses one of the most powerful armies in Africa and...