French-Algerian Relations: The Weight of History

By Dr. Yahia H. Zoubir | In 1974, Algeria’s President Houari Boumediene declared that, “Relations between France and Algeria may be good or bad, but in no way can they be trivial.” Twenty-six years later, in 2000, his long-time foreign minister and now Algeria’s President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika (1999-present) declared that, “Algeria seeks to have extraordinary, non trivial, not normal, [but] exemplary and exceptional relations with France.” Yet, despite this willingness to turn the page, which, as Boumediene suggested, “cannot be torn up,” relations have often been marred with misunderstandings, conflicts, mutual suspicions and mistrust.

Under President Jacques Chirac’s presidency, it seemed that the two countries were heading toward a historic treaty of friendship in 2005. Unfortunately as is often the case, a deceitful incident, concocted in Paris by forces opposed to lasting reconciliation between the two countries, derailed that process. Following a promising start under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy, relations quickly went from bad to worse, at least until the last couple of months which seem to have augured yet another hopeful development in relations, as is customary: through economic relations. What are the main obstacles in Franco-Algerian relations? Can they be overcome? What are the reasons for the current seeming rejuvenation of those relations? It is extremely difficult to write a short essay on the so-complex Algerian-French relations. Therefore, I will review some of the most salient factors which have impeded better ties between these two Mediterranean countries whose fate is bound by inescapable historical, political, economic, cultural, and human dimensions. Continue here | Click here to subscribe