French Newspaper Refuses to Publish Article on Algeria by 'Impartial' Historian
Malika Rahal revealed that she was commissioned to write an article for the French newspaper 'Libération' at the same time the newspaper intended to prepare a file on Algerian-French relations, which are experiencing one of their worst periods in over six decades. However, this left-leaning newspaper, known for its centrism and criticism of right-wing ideas, withheld publication of the article for reasons that remain unclear.
The writer and historian Malika Rahal stated: 'I was commissioned to write an article in mid-March 2025, as part of a file published in 'Libération' on relations between France and Algeria, a file coordinated by researcher Paul Max Morand. After the first version, I was asked to produce a longer version to conclude the series.'
She added: 'During discussions with the editorial board, objections were raised, but the explanations provided were deemed satisfactory. Nevertheless, the publication of the article was continuously delayed, without any explanation given to Paul Max Morand, the person in charge of the file, or to me (Malika Rahal). Its publication has now become pointless after more than a month since the last article in the series was published in April 2025.'
The writer was forced to publish her article in another platform known for its anti-colonial and anti-colonialist stances, after realizing that the French newspaper was not serious about honoring its commitment to a distinguished historian and writer of Malika Rahal's caliber. This raises more than one question about the remaining credibility of values that France and other Western system countries have long defended, namely freedom of expression and the press.
'Relations in the Time of Retailleau and Gaza'
The French newspaper did not clarify the reason for its reluctance to publish the article, which was titled 'Algerian-French Relations in the Time of Retailleau and Gaza.' However, its content indicates that those in charge of 'Libération,' which is considered one of the strongholds of French media not hostile to Algeria and immigrants in general, are no longer as they once were. Instead, it has become like other French newspapers, controlled by considerations that have nothing to do with freedom of expression.
Among what was stated in Malika Rahal's article: 'French-Algerian relations have been in crisis since 2024 when France, like the United States, joined in affirming Morocco's (alleged) sovereignty over Western Sahara. One of the elements explaining this recognition is the role played by Morocco in normalizing relations with Israel (the Zionist entity) at the African Union level and at the Arab world level, where Morocco joined the Abraham Accords in 2020.
Undoubtedly, other factors in French policy contribute to this recognition, but since that date, the previous model of bilateral relations no longer seems to work, with more violent tensions and unexpected reactions from both sides.
On the French side, the intensity of statements and belligerent stances is inconsistent with the recent development of French society, but conversely, their impact on the people of this country can be devastating.'
It seems that the newspaper's management could not tolerate some of the 'stings' contained in the article, such as the role played by the French Minister of Interior in undermining the multi-ethnic and multi-religious French society due to his racist statements and stances, as well as the struggle led by Algerians against French occupation, which ended long decades of colonial darkness and became an inspiration for many peoples in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as Malika Rahal wrote.
The article also touched upon the nature of French settler colonialism in Algeria, and its transfer of the equivalent of one million Europeans (Pieds-Noirs), which was one-tenth of the Algerian population, and what accompanied it of 'the genocidal ambition to eliminate the indigenous population, which is a constant feature in cases of settler colonialism, as colonizers seek to seize their lands and impose their status in the country,' in addition to the forced displacement and massacres suffered by Algerians at the hands of the French occupation army, which was ultimately defeated with Algeria gaining its independence and ending the illegal situation that gave the European group what it did not deserve at the expense of the legitimate rights of Algerians.
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