Algeria wants a treatment of history far from “colonialist thought”

Like France, Algeria commemorates this weekend the 60th anniversary of the massacre of Algerians on October 17, 1961 in Paris. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune thus advocated on Saturday an approach “far from the predominance of colonialist thought” in the treatment of historical issues with France.

That evening, while the Algerian war (1954-1962) had lasted for seven years, 30,000 Algerians who had come to demonstrate peacefully in Paris suffered a violent repression, killing dozens of people, according to historians, more than 200 according to some people. ‘between them.

“I reaffirm our firm concern to deal with the issues of History and memory, without complacency or compromise and with a keen sense of responsibility (…) far from the infatuation and the predominance of arrogant colonialist thought by lobbies incapable of to free themselves from their chronic extremism, ”explained Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a statement published on the Algerian presidency’s website. He also considered that the murderous repression of October 17, 1961 “reveals the horror of the abject massacres and crimes against humanity which will remain engraved in the collective memory”.

Very tense diplomatic relations

The Algerian president had decreed a few hours earlier than every October 17 now, and from this Sunday, Algeria will have to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of this tragedy. “May it be clear to all that the valiant Algerian people, proud of the centuries-old roots of their Nation, advance with dignity with sure steps, determined and united more than ever, on the path of building a sovereign Algeria”, he added.

Relations between Paris and Algiers are very tense on multiple issues including the memorial issue and the immigration issue. At the beginning of October, Algiers decided to “immediate” recall its ambassador to Paris, Mohamed Antar-Daoud, after remarks by President Emmanuel Macron reported by the French newspaper The world who accused the Algerian “politico-military” system of maintaining a “memorial rent” by serving its people an “official history” which “is not based on truths”.