Simple, the relations between France and Algeria? Never. This is a subtle complexity marked by rapprochements and profound dysfunctions.
Three aborted attempts at reconciliation treaties over the past twenty years
First of all, the treaty of friendship, based on an exceptional partnership in March 2003 between Jacques Chirac and Abdelaziz Bouteflika. While Jacques Chirac, through his background and his international stances, was considered the ideal interlocutor by the Algerian authorities, the treaty fell through! The reason lies in the law of 23 February 2005 on national recognition and national contribution in favour of repatriated French citizens, more specifically, the ’Vanneste amendment« on the »positive role of colonisation«. Never had reconciliation been, and never will it be, so close!
The election of Nicolas Sarkozy and his overt pro-Moroccan leaning changes the game. In the summer of 2008, relations turned sour following murky events involving an Algerian diplomat suspected of taking part in the assassination of the Franco-Algerian dissident Ali Mecili—a case that would end in a dismissal.
Another missed treaty is the one between François Hollande and Abdelaziz Bouteflika signed in 2012, »the Algiers Declaration on Friendship and Cooperation». Another failure when, in a desire to take the opposite stance to Nicolas Sarkozy, François Hollande had clearly bet on Algeria to the detriment of Morocco. François Hollande's famous, often inappropriate quips did their work. Thus, during a CRIF reception on 16 December 2013, referring to Manuel Valls, he declared: «The Minister of the Interior who may be leaving us to go to Algeria... [Then, correcting himself] He came back safe and sound, that's already a lot!» Or how to shoot oneself in the foot and undermine the work of diplomats.
Emmanuel Macron or the repeatedly reaffirmed determination to move forward
Even before being elected, Emmanuel Macron offered guarantees to Algeria, in an impromptu statement (of which no French diplomat had any prior knowledge) that colonisation « It is a crime. It is a crime against humanity, it is true barbarism and it is part of that past that we must face, while also apologising to those towards whom we committed these acts.». A statement he would tone down once elected.
From his very first term, Emmanuel Macron attempted a rapprochement. These were direct initiatives by the French President which, according to Frédéric Petit, an MP representing French citizens abroad, did not yield the expected results: «It is difficult not to notice the persistence of blockages in state-to-state relations,» he confided at the time to Farid Alila, a journalist with Jeune Afrique magazine: «Relations between France and Algeria seem as abundant on a human level as they are dysfunctional on a political level,» explained the deeply disillusioned elected official. The detente sought by France still seems improbable: «Any strictly institutional approach in Algeria seems to come up against irremediably and constantly renewed obstacles, which originate in the very organisation of the Algerian state,» noted the same rapporteur, dumbfounded to observe the attitude of his interlocutors in Algeria, who stated casually that agreements signed between the two countries «did not bind the Algerian partner».
A semblance of a thaw that still remains largely to be confirmed
Emmanuel Macron is not letting the matter drop, however. A new proposal in August 2022. Re-elected for a second term, the President this time addresses A. Tebboune in favour of «an Algiers declaration for a renewed partnership.» Paris is still seeking appeasement. Algiers» response is scathing: »Regarding the French President, I will not reply to him. He is free to sell whatever merchandise he wants in his country, but I was elected by the Algerian people and I recognise only the Algerian people.« Boom. Sensitive issues are piling up: the one concerning memory and colonial history is significant. According to French observers, the subject is still burning and hostility rather entrenched. They also highlight the precariousness of the prospects for cooperation between the two states, maintained, among other things, by »the powerful Algerian revolutionary family.".
Finally, following a number of symbolic gestures of rapprochement – including the publication of the «Stora Report» on issues of memory relating to colonisation – Paris is clearly proposing a reconciliation of memories and the declassification of archives. At this stage, it is not in vain to hope for some glimmer of hope. But then came the crash. The visa crisis continued to have an impact right up until 2022. Once the storm had passed, Mr Tebboune announced a new Franco-Algerian «relationship of trust» and a personal «mutual friendship» with Emmanuel Macron. However, by the end of February 2023, discord returns: this time, it concerns the political activist Amira Bouraoui, who was arrested in Tunisia and was about to be deported to Algeria. Against all expectations, she was granted protection by the French consulate in Tunis and, finally free, boarded a flight to Paris. Algiers condemned this as an illegal exfiltration. Unfazed, Paris stated it would «continue to move forward» with Algiers. Paris has not changed course, and enhanced cooperation between the two countries has been announced, to begin in March. As for 2024, it looked set to be a «challenging» but generally positive year. The two leaders cordially exchanged New Year’s greetings. Nevertheless, the repeated postponements of President Tebboune’s state visit to France – which has become something of a pipe dream for French diplomacy – reflect Algiers« determination to set preconditions. Indeed, several sensitive issues will first need to be resolved: the question of remembrance, economic cooperation, demands for reparations and compensation following the French nuclear tests in Algeria between 1960 and 1966, as well as the return of historical artefacts. There is no shortage of obstacles to this trip, and Algerian diplomats are leaking rumours that the French side is showing a lack of professionalism in the preparations. President Tebboune recently stated that his forthcoming visit to France will not be a »mere formality but a profound commitment”. So, wait and see…
Valérie Morales Attias lives in Morocco, is a journalist and author, and teaches at the École Supérieure de Journalisme de Paris.
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