BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | January 20th, 2025 — Algeria has once again urged France to assume full and unequivocal responsibility for addressing the hazardous waste left behind by nuclear tests conducted during the colonial period in the Algerian Sahara. This renewed call was made on Monday by Salah Goudjil, Speaker of the Council of the Nation (Senate), as he underscored the enduring environmental and health consequences of these tests on Algerian citizens.
Speaking at the conclusion of a public session dedicated to reviewing a draft law on waste management, monitoring, and disposal, chaired by Minister of Environment and Quality of Life, Nadjiba Djilali, Goudjil emphasized the need for urgent action. He instructed the relevant Senate committee to include in its report a strong call for France to fulfill its historical and legal obligations.
“The Algerian people, particularly those residing in the areas affected by these nuclear tests, continue to suffer from their devastating repercussions,” Goudjil stated, highlighting the ongoing health and ecological crises caused by the radioactive waste that has remained in the Sahara for decades.
He further urged the committee to accelerate the issuance of regulatory texts tied to the draft law, ensuring that Algeria’s position is firmly reflected in the legislative framework. The Senate President reaffirmed Algeria’s determination to press France for accountability, describing the matter as a moral and humanitarian imperative.
The Senate session was marked by a robust and thoughtful debate among its members, who explored the broader implications of the proposed waste management law and the pressing need for a resolution to the nuclear waste issue. Goudjil commended the high level of discourse, recognizing it as a reflection of the nation’s commitment to justice and environmental stewardship.
The specialized committee is currently preparing its supplementary report, which will be presented during the plenary session scheduled for Thursday to finalize the draft law’s adoption.
Between 1960 and 1966, France conducted a series of nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara, leaving behind a legacy of radioactive contamination that continues to impact the health and livelihoods of local populations. The lack of adequate cleanup efforts has led to long-term environmental degradation and widespread suffering, with many residents still grappling with cancer, birth defects, and other radiation-related illnesses.
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