With tensions between the two nations at an all-time low, French President Emmanuel Macron is all set to visit the country next week. While the French side has not confirmed the date, it is probably around August 25-27.
On Saturday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s office confirmed his French counterpart’s visit to the country. In an attempt to mend the ties between each other, France’s president Macron will visit Algeria for the second time. As part of his official visit, he will go to the capital city of Algiers and the city of Oran While the French side has not confirmed the date, it is probably around August 25-27.
Macron and his controversial remark
This official trip is coming at a time when the relations between Algiers and Paris have never been worse. Last year, Macron landed in hot water when he made a controversial statement about the country. He claimed that Algeria was not a real country before France’s invasion. According to a report, he said, “The building of Algeria as a nation is a phenomenon worth watching. Was there an Algerian nation before French colonization? That is the question”.
Macron also said that Algeria’s real history was being rewritten with anti-French sentiments. “Official history of Algeria has been rewritten, not based on truths, but based on hatred against France.”, he reportedly added. He also reportedly accused Algeria’s “politico-military system” of antagonizing France and how its foundation was a “memorial rent”.
Algeria quickly issued a statement condemning Macron’s statement, “Macron’s remarks are an unacceptable insult to the memory of over 5.63 million martyrs who sacrificed themselves with a valiant resistance against French colonialism”. It also withdrew its ambassador to France and banned French military planes from entering its airspace.
Shortly after in November, Macron’s office issued a statement expressing regret over the remarks, “The president regrets the controversies and misunderstandings generated by the remarks reported and I will add that President Macron has the greatest respect for the Algerian nation, its history and the sovereignty of Algeria”.
In what seems like a similar line of action, Macron’s trip comes as no surprise. “This trip will contribute to deepening the bilateral relationship looking to the future … to reinforce Franco-Algerian cooperation in the face of regional challenges and to continue the work of addressing the past”, Macron’s office said.
This is Macron’s second trip to the North African country since he came to power in 2017.
Algeria was France’s former colony which gained independence 60 years ago. Since its independence, the relations between the nations have been hostile.
Mending relationship
This month, Algeria was fraught with devastating wildfires. The fire, which spread across 14 provinces of the country killed at least 38 people. Most of the victims were from the El Tarf province.
Algeria has always been criticized for having inadequate fire-fighting infrastructure. With Algerian civil defence’s hands occupied, France came to its aid. It lent a helping hand to the land and air firefighting services in an attempt to mend the relationship.
Colonial past
Algeria is a former colony of France. It spent nearly 132 years under its oppressive rule. Algeria gained independence about 60 years ago with the signing of the Evian Accords in the year 1962.
In its eight years of struggle for independence (between 1954 and 1962), numerous Algerian lives were lost. The French are also accused of committing genocide against the Algerian population. The numbers vary depending upon either the French or the Algerian account. France is also accused of underestimating the official numbers.
In the history of both countries, France never publicly apologized for the war crimes it committed. Macron is no exception.
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