Algeria

The mask slips: Marine Le Pen backs ex-generals who threaten possible 'coup'

France

A letter signed by 23 retired French generals, who warn that the military might have to “intervene” in a “civil war” because of a failure by the French state to crack down on “Islamists”, has caused a political row. Defence minister Florence Parly has warned of “consequences” for any active soldiers on the list of signatories, which includes scores of other senior ranks. Meanwhile Marine Le Pen, the president of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party, has given the retired generals her support. As Lucie Delaporte reports, her backing for such views is a stark reminder of what the RN really stands for, after a decade in which Le Pen has sought to soften the party's image.

Row as retired French generals warn of impending 'civil war'

France — Link

The text, backed by far-right leader Marine Le Pen, was dismissed by Macron’s government as a diatribe from a bunch of military pensioners who “only represent themselves”.

Macron admits French forces ‘murdered’ Algerian freedom fighter

France — Link

The French president made the admission "in the name of France" during a meeting with Ali Boumendjel's grandchildren.

The Algerian view of the report by historian Benjamin Stora on France's colonial past

International — Interview

In January 2021 the French historian Benjamin Stora delivered a report commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron that is aimed at “reconciling memories” between France and its former colony Algeria. The French head of state said he would follow a recommendation in the report and establish a “memories and truth” commission to address the history of France’s colonial past in Algeria, but he stopped short of issuing an official apology. The report itself has attracted criticism in both France and Algeria. Mediapart has asked two Algerian historians, Afaf Zekkour and Noureddine Amara, for their views of the document and of Franco-Algeiran relations in general. The pair criticise Stora for what they call “soft revisionism” and for prioritising France's needs for a united view over the recounting of history. Rachida El Azzouzi reports.

France tries to come to terms with colonial past in Algeria

International — Link

The commission was a central recommendation of a report presented to Mr Macron last week by historian Benjamin Stora that marks another attempt to try to come to terms with one of the most sensitive periods of French history.

Algeria buries skulls of anti-colonialist fighters returned by France

International — Link

The skulls of 24 Algerian fighters who were shot and decapitated by occupying French forces during the 19th-century campaign to colonize the country, and which had since been kept in a Paris museum until their return to Algeria this weekend, were buried amid an emotional ceremony at a cemetery close to the capital Algiers on Sunday.

France returns remains of 19th-century Algerian fighters

International — Link

France is returning to Algeria the remains of 24 combattants killed in the 19th century during the early French colonialisation of the North African country which finally won independence in 1962 after a bitter eight-year war.

Algeria recalls envoy over protest documentaries on French TV

France — Link

Algeria  singled out two documentaries broadcast on Tuesday by France 5 and the former colonial power's Parliamentary Channel, about the recent protests.

Algeria’s energy blind spot over shale gas

International — Analysis

The North African country’s new president has put shale gas back on the agenda, an unpopular, short-sighted move that has added to the complaints of a restive population whose protests brought about dramatic regime change last year. Rachida El Azzouzi reports.  

Crackdown on dissident voices in Algeria continues as regime arrests French MP

International

Mathilde Panot, a senior Member of Parliament for France's radical left opposition party La France Insoumise (LFI) ('France Unbowed'), travelled to Algeria to show her solidarity for the people taking part in the 'Hirak' or popular movement against the regime there. But after two days she and her delegation were arrested and taken to the capital Algiers where she was effectively placed under house arrest in an hotel. After an intervention by France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mathilde Panot was eventually put on a plane back to France. Mediapart's Rachida El Azzouzi, Pauline Graulle and Khedidja Zerouali report on events which highlight the continuing repression of opposition voices in Algeria.

Algeria's Africa Cup win sparks street parties across France

France — Link

In Paris, car horns could be heard beeping as crowds waving Algerian flags headed towards the Champs-Élysées to celebrate win over Senegal.

Celebrations after Algeria's football win marred by violence in France

France — Link

A total of 282 people were arrested across the country, 249 of whom were placed in police custody, the interior ministry said on Monday.

Thousands join Algeria protests in Paris and other French cities

International — Link

They are the latest protests against Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s decision to run for a fifth term in office. 

'Algeria doesn't allow its youth to look to the future'

International — Interview

Franco-Algerian economist El Mouhoub Mouhoud has talked to Mediapart about the economic and social origins of the current Algerian revolt. He criticises the inertia of the regime under President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, which has put off structural reform and driven the country into an economic and social dead end. Rachida El Azzouzi reports.

From Guinea to Bayonne: the long journey of two youths seeking France's protection

France — Report

Authorities in the French city of Bayonne are struggling to cope with the number of migrants coming from across the nearby Spanish border. Mediapart met Joseph and Moriba, 'blood  brothers' who are seeking France's protection after nearly dying at sea crossing to Europe from Morocco. After a legal battle, Joseph has now been recognised as a minor by the French courts while Moriba's request will be heard on appeal shortly. Mathilde Mathieu reports.