Latest News from El Chorouk
El Chorouk
12 hours ago
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Laboratories in Paris are unable to understand France's helplessness against Algeria.
The French are still searching by all means for what they consider 'the reasons for helplessness against Algeria' in the current iron grip, and for that, they resort each time to interrogating politicians, historians, and specialists in political sociology, hoping to reach the recipe that will enable them to regain lost influence in their former colony, which has begun to deal with them with an unprecedented equal footing. The latest to be interrogated in this context was the well-known French sociologist, Gilles Kepel, who was a guest on the 'Le Figaro Live' platform, to answer the central question: 'Why is France unable to confront Algeria?', a question that has been strongly raised for more than ten months, which marks the age of the escalating and unprecedented crisis between the two countries. Gilles Kepel, who is a professor at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, and also holds the Chair of the Middle East and the Mediterranean at the Paris Sciences et Lettres University, linked what has been happening between the two sides of the Mediterranean in recent months to some variables that have accumulated since Algeria gained its independence in the early 1960s. According to the French sociologist, the first factor that increased the strength and rigidity of the Algerian position is that this country, Kepel says, enjoys economic independence derived from the large wealth and resources that Algeria possesses, foremost among them oil and gas wealth, which provided financial resources that enabled the Algerian state to eliminate dependence on foreign countries in the field of financing and to establish the necessary infrastructure that the state needs. As for the second dimension, it is represented by the Algerian community, which numbers millions in the former colony, and this is a card that plays in Algeria's favor in any conflict between the two countries. Moreover, the diversity of this community and its penetration into various aspects of activity in French society makes it influential. He pointed here to the arrival of an immigrant's son of Algerian origin to the government, where he currently holds the portfolios of Interior and Justice, referring to Gérald Moussa Darmanin, in addition to the presence of influential businessmen and intellectuals of Algerian origin in French society. The professor at the 'London Ideas' Center for Diplomacy and Strategy at the London School of Economics and Political Science also believes that what he considers 'Algerian hostile policy towards France may have a negative impact on a segment of the French people,' and he refers here to the children of the Algerian community who may, of course, follow the interests of their country, according to his view, which is a natural thing that can happen in any country that hosts a large foreign community. With some precision, Gilles Kepel refers to the disturbances and incidents that some French prisons were subjected to, and the targeting of some agents working in prison services, in the previous weeks, when the tension between the two countries was at its highest levels, and he tried to link that to the iron grip adopted by the French government towards Algeria and its community. The French sociologist did not hide his fears of the pressure usually exerted by some lobbies (pressure groups) affiliated with Algeria in France. The French remain perplexed in dealing with Algeria in light of the current crisis, the repercussions of which have confused decision-makers in Paris, so that, after nearly a year of the escalating crisis, they are still unable to get out of this quagmire they fell into, ever since French President Emmanuel Macron decided to blatantly side with the Moroccan regime in the Western Sahara issue, despite his awareness of the seriousness of that position on French interests in Algeria.
El Chorouk
2 days ago
- Business
- El Chorouk
Negotiations With Brazilians on Strategic Economic Partnerships
Algeria is opening a new gateway to promising strategic partnerships on Tuesday by hosting the Algerian-Brazilian Business Forum. This forum coincides with Brazil's assumption of the BRICS bloc's presidency for 2025 and just days after its official accession to the BRICS Bank. This forum, hosted at the Sofitel Hotel in Algiers, reflects a clear trend toward diversifying economic alliances and opening up to the global South through balanced partnerships in priority sectors, most notably aviation, automotive, and meat. This step comes at a time when Algeria's economic dynamism continues with other major powers, such as China, the European Union, and the United States, within a multipolar vision aimed at building a more balanced and equal cooperation system. More than 20 leading Brazilian companies in strategic sectors, ranging from agriculture and food industries to machinery and equipment, transportation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, plastics, aviation, vehicles, and auto parts, are participating in the bilateral business forum. The event, organized by the Economic Renewal Council, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the APEX- Brasil Agency, in partnership with the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Brazil in Algeria, reflects the two countries' efforts to build a solid economic bridge that goes beyond mere trade to a true partnership based on the transfer of expertise, the exchange of interests, and the creation of productive investments. This forum holds profound significance in light of Brazil's presidency of the BRICS group and following Algeria's official accession to the bloc's bank last week. This confirms its engagement in multipolar economic alliances, moving away from the traditional logic of dependence on limited partners. The Algerian-Brazilian Forum is not an isolated event. Rather, it falls within a clear strategic vision adopted by Algeria in recent years, based on diversifying its portfolio of economic partners and investing in each partnership based on its qualitative advantages in specific sectors. Previously on April, Algeria hosted a business forum with China, followed by another with Saudi Arabia. Just days ago, a high-level Algerian delegation, headed by Kamel Moula, participated in the Maryland Business Forum in the United States, with the participation of 35 businesspeople. Negotiations and meetings with the European Union are also ongoing to redefine the foundations of economic cooperation according to a more balanced vision that responds to national development priorities. In this context, Algeria is no longer content with the role of a consumer market. Rather, it seeks to upgrade its domestic products and integrate them into global value chains, particularly in sectors such as food industries, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, and desert agriculture. These sectors are experiencing rapid dynamism due to investment incentives and new reforms. A partnership with Brazil, a major agricultural and industrial power, could open real prospects for Algerian products to penetrate Latin American markets, leveraging Brazil's expertise in agricultural mechanisation, livestock breeding, processing, and pharmaceutical industries. This comes at a time when Algeria today realises that the current phase requires a transition from traditional partnerships to smart strategic partnerships based on integration, technology, and knowledge, far from the logic of unproductive imports or unbalanced deals. Therefore, it seeks to establish economic relations with partners capable of providing real added value, whether in training, innovation, or access to foreign markets. The Algerian-Brazilian partnership appears to represent a promising model for this approach, given its diversity, balance, and a South-South vision that is more independent and in line with national interests.
El Chorouk
2 days ago
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Ségolène Royal warns against serious consequences from the French Interior Minister's policy
While the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, has begun to implement his strategy labeled as 'racist' due to its targeting of a community with a single religious background, namely Islam, political and academic voices are rising, warning against giving him free rein to disrupt the stability and harmony of the fragile French society, which is characterized by its diverse races, religions, and conflicting ideologies. In this context, the former minister and former candidate for the 2007 French presidential elections, Ségolène Royal, warned against the dangers of targeting the Muslim community with political projects that lack consensus in France. She pointed out that unleashing the attack on Islam and its followers a political project is fraught with significant risks to social cohesion. The leftist politician, who represented the Socialist Party and faced former President Nicolas Sarkozy, described what is happening in the French political scene as a 'comedy' while commenting on the report prepared by the French Ministry of the Interior about the 'Muslim Brotherhood' or what is commonly referred to as 'Islamic infiltration,' during a talk show on the 'BFM TV' channel. Ségolène Royal said: 'We don't need a report and a meeting of three ministers… this is a comedy,' noting that French President Emmanuel Macron had gathered Prime Minister François Bayrou, the ministers of sovereignty, the Interior led by Bruno Retailleau, Foreign Affairs led by Jean-Noël Barrot, and Justice led by Gérald Darmanin last Wednesday. This meeting was dedicated to discussing the report on what they call 'Islamic infiltration,' which Bruno Retailleau's office had previously leaked for purely political purposes. At the same time, the Minister of the Interior, who recently became the head of the right-wing 'Republicans' party, chaired a meeting in Nanterre on Monday, May 26, 2025, dedicated to combating the 'Muslim Brotherhood.' He promised to 'make the state more effective in its fight against political Islam,' in preparation for a detailed report to be submitted to French President Emmanuel Macron by the beginning of July. Bruno Retailleau calls for the creation of a hierarchical organization, supported by regional intelligence, to identify 'Islamic ecosystems' composed of associations, companies, or businesses. He also proposes expanding the grounds for dissolving associations, a measure he considers effective despite the criticism he faces from many political figures and experts in Islam in France. Ségolène Royal responded to Bruno Retailleau, accusing him of shirking his responsibilities and engaging in political projects that only serve his personal interests. She emphasized in her interview with the television channel that 'political responsibility is about solving problems, not demonizing youth and blaming a specific community,' as she put it. The former presidential candidate warned against the dangers of continuing to target the Muslim community, which has encouraged some right-wing extremists to attack women and elderly women: 'There are those who have become bold enough to remove the hijab from women's heads in the street, including elderly women… Look at where we have reached!' The new leader of the French right (the Minister of the Interior) aims to strengthen measures tightening the noose on what he describes as 'Islamic infiltration,' which is a system of anti-extremist Islamic cells (CLIR). These measures exist in all departments and include representatives from various government services, from the Ministry of Education to Health. They aim to 'address Islamic ecosystems,' with the goal of conducting a 'diagnosis of the Islamist phenomenon' in the administration and 'gathering' information to deal with it. Bruno Retailleau wants to go further by deploying enhanced rapid intervention forces in the most affected departments by 'Islamic infiltration.' This measure aims to further strengthen field surveillance, for example in sports clubs, cultural associations, and educational institutions. The former minister and leader of the Socialist Party considers that what the Minister of the Interior is doing, along with those who support him in this direction, is futile, because 'the girls do not wear the headscarf and it is not present in schools.' However, she emphasized that 'mothers who come to accompany their children to and from school can wear the headscarf.' Segolene Royal also warned against the backlash from the racist policy targeting the Muslim community: 'Let us all remember that this is what laid the groundwork for anti-Semitism due to the terrible repression between the two world wars, it was the same words, the same way of doing things, and the same results as well.'
El Chorouk
3 days ago
- Politics
- El Chorouk
Retailleau ruined relations with Algeria, and the French colonization was brutal.
The French Press Agency (AFP) acted suspiciously in the interview it conducted with the French historian, Benjamin Stora, last Wednesday, focusing on a small aspect of the dialogue related to the role of memory in reviving relations between Algeria and France, while ignoring more important points concerning the heinous crimes of French colonialism in Algeria and the role of the far-right, represented by the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, in destroying the bridges of communication between the two countries. The French Press Agency summarized the interview in a brief dispatch that various French media outlets covered last Wednesday, while the full interview was only disseminated through the agency's YouTube channel on Saturday, May 24. The full interview was rich in details of great importance that the dispatch did not mention. It was striking in following the 'video dialogue,' which lasted for 35 minutes, the disappearance of many points that the French historian discussed regarding Algerian-French relations from the past and present, especially concerning the description of the occupation crimes during the initial period of colonization that lasted for eighty years, as well as the crisis instigated by the far-right to destroy the relations between Algeria and Paris. What Benjamin Stora said: 'The French colonization of Algeria cannot be considered a trivial matter, because it was a colonization unlike any other. There was a colonial invasion that lasted for eighty years. It was truly horrific; there were atrocious massacres that the French only discovered recently. Entire villages and cities were destroyed, and this cannot be ignored. There were burnings (the caves), forced relocations of Algerians from their land, and their confinement in camps.' He adds: 'These are painful memories in the history of Algerians that cannot be underestimated. Algeria was part of France, not just a protectorate like Morocco and Indochina. France's borders, until the 1960s, extended south to Mali, Niger, Libya, and Mauritania… The French believed it was impossible to abandon Algeria, which is rich in oil, gas, phosphate, and gold, which led some of the French people to consider Algeria's independence a betrayal.' General Charles de Gaulle was accused of committing this betrayal, and he was the target of assassination attempts several times until his death in 1970. As for the telegram reported by the French Press Agency last Wednesday (France Press), it focused on the role of memory in bridging the gap between the two countries. It quoted Stora: 'We need strong initiatives, especially regarding the issue of French colonization of Algeria in the 19th century. But today, in my opinion, considering the possibility of launching memory initiatives could serve as an alternative to resuming political relations,' which is 'necessary to resolve issues of immigration or visas.' The agency also overlooked an important aspect of the dialogue, which is the role of Algeria in driving rapprochement through memory. Benjamin Stora pointed out that the idea of creating a joint committee of Algerian and French historians originated in Algeria, and it was an initiative that should have been capitalized on. The historian emphasized that the committee cannot write a shared history because each side has its own perspective. The French consider colonialism as bringing civilization to Algeria, while the Algerians view it as the main reason for the killing of millions, the theft of their wealth, and their illiteracy. In the opinion of the French historian, progress on the memory front could have alleviated tensions through initiatives from the French president, which were embodied in Macron's acknowledgment that the French state is responsible for the assassination of Maurice Audin, Ali Boumendjel, and the martyr Arab Ben Mhidi. However, the controversial shift in the French stance on the Sahrawi issue led to the stifling of that initiative, which was proposed after its crystallization during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Algeria in the summer of 2022. He also accused France of making decisions that intensified the crisis, as it 'reduced the number of visas granted to Algerians without announcing it, from 400 to 200 or 250 thousand, and Algerians are aware of this. Requesting a visa from a holder of a diplomatic passport is considered reaching the brink of a break, which I don't think will happen because there are millions of people from both sides and shared ties of land and lineage.' Stora was asked if he would play the role of mediator to resolve the crisis between the two countries, to which he replied: 'The mediator must be accepted by both parties of the crisis. There is no search for a mediator. The crisis has reduced communication channels. I was indeed received by the two presidents in 2020 and 2021, but many things have changed today; we are in 2025.' He hinted that the French Minister of the Interior is responsible for the deterioration of these bilateral relations.
El Chorouk
3 days ago
- Automotive
- El Chorouk
Algerian-Slovenian Partnership in the Automotive Industry
Algerian-Slovenian consultations have begun regarding the possibility of launching joint industrial cooperation in producing auto parts and vehicle components, reflecting Algeria's ambition to establish an integrated mechanical industry based on local integration and smart partnerships. These discussions revolve around two main options: either the exchange of products between Algerian manufacturers and their Slovenian counterparts or establishing joint industrial projects that capitalize on the capabilities of both parties. During a senior official visit, the Slovenian side received a detailed presentation on the Algerian market's opportunities, needs, and the high quality of spare parts and components that can be provided locally. In this context, Adel Bensassi, head of the Mechanics Association, told Echorouk that, as part of Algeria's efforts to revitalize the automotive industry according to a new vision based on high integration rates and effective local production, preparations have begun for possible industrial cooperation with Slovenia in the field of subcontracting and spare parts. He indicated that a meeting is expected soon, possibly during next September on the sidelines of the African Exhibition in Algiers at the latest. This comes in parallel with the agreements ordered to be implemented by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune following his recent visit to the European country. Bensassi, who is also Chairman of the Advisory Council for the Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, explained that the Algerian business delegation that accompanied the President during his visit to Slovenia two weeks ago discussed with the Slovenian side opportunities for joint business, both through parts manufactured locally in Algeria and those produced in Slovenia, with the possibility of exchanging products to serve vehicle factories in both countries. He added that 'the discussion revolved around Algerian spare parts that meet specifications and are certified by regulatory bodies, capable of entering the European market, in exchange for importing high-quality Slovenian parts that would contribute to increasing the rate of industrial integration in Algeria, or even joint factories for spare parts and auto components from Algeria and Slovenia. The Slovenian side appeared open to all forms of cooperation'. Bensassi asserted that the visit also included a field visit to an auto parts manufacturing company in Slovenia, where the Algerian delegation expressed its admiration for the technological advancements adopted in manufacturing, particularly the use of advanced machinery and digitalisation in standardisation and quality control. Precise technical observations were recorded by Algerian experts for study and use in developing the local industrial fabric. He emphasized that the revival of the automotive spare parts industry is being personally monitored by the Industry Minister, who expressed a progressive vision based on a genuine desire to produce various automotive components locally, thus providing new factories with real opportunities for full integration into the manufacturing system, rather than relying solely on assembly or import. 'This cooperation is not limited to Slovenia alone, but extends to several leading countries in the field of subcontracting and manufacturing automotive parts, as part of a national strategy to reduce dependency and reduce the import bill,' he added. Examples of leading Slovenian companies in this field include TPV Automotive, a leading manufacturer of metal structures and chassis components, and a direct supplier to global car manufacturers such as Renault and BMW Dublovi. Hidria Group specialises in ignition and combustion systems and precision mechanical parts for diesel and gasoline engines. Ampol Group produces aluminium parts used in the automotive and aeronautics industries. Kolektor Group manufactures electrical systems and mechanical parts used in engines and vehicle control systems. Bensassi concludes that Algeria, as it lays the foundations for a truly successful vehicle manufacturing industry, is betting on building smart partnerships with experienced industrial nations, such as Slovenia, to ensure a smooth transition to an integrated manufacturing system based on efficiency, quality, and industrial sovereignty.
