Latest news with #Algerians
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
France to Tighten Travel Conditions for Algerian Dignitaries
Rabat — French Interior Minister Bruno Retaileau is tightening travel conditions to France for a group of Algerian dignitaries, government spokesperson Sophie Primas said today. AFP quoted the French official saying that the decision comes after Algeria refused to take back 120 nationals who are under an obligation to leave French territory, or QQTF. 'The data we have shows that 20 individuals under QQTF, who have valid documents for returning to Algeria, have not been taken back by the Algerian authorities,' she said after a meeting of the council of ministers. Between March and July 22, dozens of Algerians were sent back to France, according to Le Figaro. 'You may have noticed that the Interior Minister has become increasingly inclined to take stricter measures, particularly regarding Algerian diplomacy,' Primas said, stressing that travel conditions to France will be more difficult for several Algerian dignitaries. She recalled that France is witnessing a power struggle with Algeria, which includes the unanswered demand urging the Algerian regime to release French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal and journalist Christophe Gleizes. Beyond the complex Algeria-France ties, the two countries endured dramatic tensions due to several factors, including Paris' newfound position in support of Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. In July of last year, France officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in the Western Sahara with a letter from President Emmanuel Macron to King Mohammed VI. France's decision was followed by Macron's State visit in October, during which he reiterated the decision in the Moroccan parliament, emphasizing that France's stance was not meant to antagonize any country. Macron's remarks were a direct response to Algeria's ongoing efforts to undermine Morocco's territorial integrity as well as France's support, as the Algerian regime has long backed the Polisario Front and its destabilizing actions against Morocco. The tensions were exacerbated by Algeria's reluctance to receive back nationals subject to deportation orders. Another point of contention is the imprisonment of Sansal, who received a sentence of five years in prison on charges of undermining state security. 'Can a great nation honor itself by keeping someone who is sick and elderly in detention for wrong reasons?' Retailleau said earlier this year.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Remembering Algeria's Frantz Fanon 100 years after his birth
Frantz Fanon is regarded as a crucial figure of early anti-colonial and anti-racist theory. For Algerians, he is one of the heroes of the country's struggle for independence. Yet his role during the war against France and his writings remain largely unknown to a wider public, reports DW. July 20, 2025, marked the 100th anniversary of his birth. Fanon was not granted a long life: At just 36, he died of leukemia in 1961 without ever witnessing Algerian independence, a goal he devoted his life to. His work is "a reflection on the concept of solidarity, understanding what solidarity means in a moment of war, of resistance," Mireille Fanon Mendès France told DW. She is Fanon's eldest daughter and co-chair of the international Frantz Fanon Foundation. She says she barely knew her father and retains few childhood memories of him, but as a teenager, she immersed herself in her father's literary work. Fanon's writings made it clear that the struggle for Algerian independence not only benefited Algeria, but was also about African unity. "And this African unity is still not there," his daughter explains. In her Paris apartment, Alice Cherki goes through old documents from her youth during Algeria's war of independence against France: "I knew then that it was colonialism," she recalls. Now 89, she knew Frantz Fanon well. She worked alongside him in the 1950s as an intern at the psychiatric clinic in Blida, Algeria. Fanon was the head of the psychiatric department and not only cared for the sick but also helped Algerian nationalists. "We took in the wounded, the fighters who came here," Cherki said. Fanon set up a supposed day clinic within the hospital, only for show. In reality, he secretly took in the wounded and those who needed to recover, Cherki told DW. Committed to the cause Born in the French colony of Martinique, Fanon grew up in a French colonial society and was deeply influenced by his experiences: He volunteered for World War Two for France at the age of 17. As a Black man though, he experienced daily racism in the French army. After the war, he studied medicine and philosophy in France and later moved with his wife Josie to Blida in French-Algeria, where he became chief physician of the psychiatric clinic. From the beginning of the war in 1954, Fanon was helping Algerian nationalists while continuing to work as a psychiatrist. He established contacts with several officers of the National Liberation Army as well as with the political leadership of the National Liberation Front (FLN), especially its influential members Abane Ramdane and Benyoucef Benkhedda. From 1956 on, he was fully committed to the "Algerian cause." Fanon wrote some of the most influential texts of the anti-colonial movement, like his early work Black Skin, White Masks about the psychological effects of racism and colonialism on Black people. His most important book though was The Wretched of the Earth where he focuses on revolutionary action and national liberation. The book was published with a foreword by Jean-Paul Sartre shortly before his death in 1961. On July 5, 1962, Algeria gained independence after an eight-year armed struggle against the then-colonial power, France. Historians estimate the number of Algerian deaths at 500,000; according to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, approximately 25,000 soldiers lost their lives. Anissa Boumediene is a writer, lawyer, and former First Lady of Algeria. She was the wife of President Houari Boumediene, who ruled the country from 1965 to 1978. "Frantz Fanon is part of Algerian history. He defended independence. He was truly an infinitely respectable person," she told DW. Two new films - Fanon by Jean-Claude Barny, released in April 2025, and Frantz Fanon by Algerian director Abdenour Zahzah, released in 2024 - are intended to keep his memory and his anti-colonial theories alive.
DW
5 days ago
- Health
- DW
Frantz Fanon: Algeria's independence hero 100 years on – DW – 07/20/2025
Frantz Fanon was one of the major anti-colonial thinkers of the 20th century and a hero of the Algerian liberation movement. He died just before Algeria's independence from France. Fanon would have turned 100 on July 20. Fanon is regarded as a crucial figure of early anti-colonial and anti-racist theory. For Algerians, he is one of the heroes of the country's struggle for independence. Yet his role during the war against France and his writings remain largely unknown to a wider public. July 20, 2025, marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. Fanon was not granted a long life: At just 36, he died of leukemia in 1961 without ever witnessing Algerianindependence, a goal he devoted his life to. His work is "a reflection on the concept of solidarity, understanding what solidarity means in a moment of war, of resistance," Mireille Fanon Mendès France told DW. She is Fanon's eldest daughter and co-chair of the international Frantz Fanon Foundation. She says she barely knew her father and retains few childhood memories of him, but as a teenager, she immersed herself in her father's literary work. Fanon's writings made it clear that the struggle for Algerian independence not only benefited Algeria, but was also about African unity. "And this African unity is still not there," his daughter explains. In her Paris apartment, Alice Cherki goes through old documents from her youth during Algeria's war of independence against France: "I knew then that it was colonialism," she recalls. Now 89, she knew Frantz Fanon well. She worked alongside him in the 1950s as an intern at the psychiatric clinic in Blida, Algeria. Frantz Fanon was the head of the psychiatric department and not only cared for the sick but also helped Algerian nationalists. "We took in the wounded, the fighters who came here," Cherki said. Fanon set up a supposed day clinic within the hospital, only for show. In reality, he secretly took in the wounded and those who needed to recover, Cherki told DW. Born in the French colony of Martinique, Fanon grew up in a French colonial society and was deeply influenced by his experiences: He volunteered for World War Two for France at the age of 17. As a Black man though, he experienced daily racism in the French army. After the war, he studied medicine and philosophy in France and later moved with his wife Josie to Blida in French-Algeria, where he became chief physician of the psychiatric clinic. From the beginning of the war in 1954, Frantz Fanon was helping Algerian nationalists while continuing to work as a psychiatrist. He established contacts with several officers of the National Liberation Army as well as with the political leadership of the National Liberation Front (FLN), especially its influential members Abane Ramdane and Benyoucef Benkhedda. From 1956 on, he was fully committed to the "Algerian cause." Amzat Boukari Yabara is a historian and author of the 2014 book "Africa Unite," which traces the history of Pan-Africanism. He emphasizes the significance of Fanon's resignation from his position as a doctor in the fall of 1956. "By this time, he had already made contact with several FLN members and would later go to Tunis, where an FLN branch was established," explains Yabara. "From Tunis, he participated in the struggle by writing for the FLN newspaper El Moudjahid under a pseudonym. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he became ambassador of the provisional government of the Algerian Republic – the government-in-exile of the FLN – in Accra, a traveling ambassador for sub-Saharan Africa." Frantz Fanon wrote some of the most influential texts of the anti-colonial movement, like his early work "Black skin, white masks" about the psychological effects of racismand colonialism on Black people. His most important book though was "The Wretched of the Earth" where he focuses on revolutionary action and national liberation. The book was published with a foreword by Jean-Paul Sartre shortly before his death in 1961. On July 5, 1962, Algeria gained independence after an eight-year armed struggle against the then-colonial power, France. Historians estimate the number of Algerian deaths at 500,000; according to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, approximately 25,000 soldiers lost their lives. Anissa Boumediene is a writer, lawyer, and former First Lady of Algeria. She was the wife of President Houari Boumediene, who ruled the country from 1965 to 1978. "Frantz Fanon is part of Algerian history. He defended independence. He was truly an infinitely respectable person," she told DW. But even in Algeria, 64 years after his death, his memory should not be taken for granted, says journalist Lazhari Labter, who translated Fanon's writings into Algerian Arabic. "Today's generations have become increasingly ignorant of the history of their country, and especially of this subject," he explains. "And of course, apart from very small circles, apart from universities and intellectuals, the name Fanon doesn't mean much to younger generations. This may be because his works are not taught in schools, high schools, or universities." Two new films – "Fanon" by Jean-Claude Barny, released in April 2025, and "Frantz Fanon" by Algerian director Abdenour Zahzah, released in 2024 – are intended to keep his memory and his anti-colonial theories alive.
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : Tebboune accuses Morocco's backers of «imperialist» agenda
Last night, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sat down for an interview with local media, seizing the moment to criticize nations backing Morocco's position on the Sahara, dismissing them as «imperialists». «I will not abandon the Sahrawis to appease some and become an imperialist myself. Beyond our stance, the rest is a matter of imperialism. What do I stand to lose by continuing to support Western Sahara?» he questioned. «Today, Western Sahara is recognized by half of the African Union members (in reality, less than a third, editor's note). There are 55 states that recognize the Sahrawi Republic (actually, only about half as many, editor's note)», the president claimed. «We have learned to resist. Our principles remain unchanged». The head of state defended Algeria's support for the Polisario Front, rejecting the notion that this stance has only brought «hostility» towards Algeria. Tebboune insisted that «there are no more pragmatic people than Algerians». He pointed to «the strong relations Algeria maintains with the United States, Russia, and China. Non-alignment is in our blood». However, the president avoided discussing the ongoing tensions with the European Union.
El Chorouk
13-07-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
'Chirac Pressured Me To Recognize Moroccan Sovereignty Over Western Sahara'
A valuable historical testimony from a senior Spanish official revealed how France conspired with the Moroccan regime to harm Algeria's geopolitical interests, even during the era of presidents associated with the Gaullist movement (referring to the values established by General Charles de Gaulle), who are considered by some Algerians to be more moderate. The sensational testimony came from former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, who led the Madrid government from 1996 to 2004. He stated that former French President Jacques Chirac exerted direct pressure on him to force Spain to make territorial concessions to Morocco, including Ceuta, Melilla, and Perejil Island, and to change its stance on the Western Sahara issue. These statements came to light in a documentary broadcast by 'Movistar Plus Channel,' titled 'Isla Perejil,' which reviews the crisis that erupted between Spain and the Moroccan regime in 2002, when the Moroccan army invaded Perejil Island. Spain then responded with what it called 'Operation Romeo Sierra,' during which it recaptured the island from the Moroccan army in a limited military operation. Based on numerous Spanish press reports, including El País newspaper and the websites 'Alvaro de Melilla' and 'Alvaro de Ceuta,' José María Aznar said that Chirac, driven by his close relationship with Hassan II and later Mohammed VI, tried to impose a solution that served Rabat's interests: 'He asked me to change my position on Western Sahara and hand over Ceuta and Melilla' to the Alawite Kingdom. The former Spanish Prime Minister confirms that his response was firm and an absolute rejection, at a time when France worked to prevent the European Union from supporting Spain during that crisis, which could have led to a war between Madrid and Rabat, had it not been for the Moroccan regime's submission to the logic of force and its withdrawal of its army from 'Perejil Island,' which is under Spanish sovereignty. The Spanish position, considering Madrid a colonial power managing the non-self-governing territory at the time, was firm on the Sahrawi issue, supporting United Nations resolutions, which stipulate a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people, based on the UN resolution issued in 1991, which also approved a ceasefire between the Polisario and the Moroccan regime. That year (2002) also witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborliness between Algeria and Madrid, a treaty that remained steadfast until 2022, when Algeria decided to unilaterally suspend it, following the Pedro Sánchez government's change of its country's position on the Sahrawi issue and its departure from a neutral stance supporting UN resolutions. It remains suspended to this day, despite the warming of bilateral relations. Chirac is described by some politicians in Algeria as a balanced president and a friend of Algeria. His visit to Algeria in 2003 was historic in terms of the political and media mobilization that preceded it, as he walked through the streets of the capital amidst cheers and ululations from women and youth. France is considered the first country to support the autonomy plan presented by the Moroccan regime regarding Western Sahara in 2007. This was during the era of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was convicted in several corruption cases. Algeria was fully aware that France was the originator of this plan and had nurtured it since it was merely an idea in the late 1990s (during Jacques Chirac's presidency) until it was announced as an initiative in 2007. What the documentary contains confirms the reality of France's historical complicity with the Moroccan regime's regional ambitions, and reveals how Paris tried to influence Spanish policy in North Africa in favor of Moroccan expansion. Nevertheless, the Spanish alignment with the Moroccan regime on the Sahrawi issue was delayed by a full twenty years, i.e., until 2022, after that incident. However, Paris, keen to further harm Algeria's geopolitical interests, took a step ahead of Madrid. Two years after Spain changed its position on the Sahrawi issue, it took a more extreme step in 2024, when French President Emmanuel Macron decided to consider the autonomy plan the only solution to the Sahrawi issue, a position that, as is well known, caused the destruction of relations between Algeria and Paris. The testimony of former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar proves a phrase previously uttered by former French Ambassador to the United States, François Delattre, which stated that 'the Kingdom of Morocco is the mistress we sleep with every night, even though we are not necessarily in love with her, but we are obliged to defend her.'
