Benjamin Stora Delivers a Scathing Rebuttal to Boualem Sansal’s Distorted Allegations on Algeria’s Territorial Unity

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | November 26th, 2024 — French historian Benjamin Stora, celebrated for his extensive research on Algerian-French relations, has vehemently rejected recent claims by controversial writer Boualem Sansal regarding Algeria’s territorial integrity. Sansal’s allegations, which suggested that Oran, Tlemcen, and Mascara once belonged to Morocco prior to French colonization, have drawn sharp criticism from Stora, who described these remarks as historically erroneous and deeply offensive to Algerian national identity.

Appearing on the public television program “France – Algeria: The War That Never Ends” on France 5, Stora addressed the issue head-on, stating:
“Sansal has neglected two critical historical events that are integral to the legacy of western Algeria. Let us not forget that Mascara was the capital of Algerian resistance led by Emir Abdelkader during the initial years of French occupation. Abdelkader, a revered national hero in the Algerian imagination, hails from Mascara. It is inconceivable to dismiss such a cornerstone of Algerian history. What Sansal has said is utterly unfounded and shocking.”

Stora further emphasized Algeria’s profound national history, underscoring the significance of Tlemcen as the birthplace of Messali Hadj, a key architect of the Algerian nationalist movement whose efforts laid the foundation for the country’s eventual independence. He remarked:
“Messali Hadj, born in Tlemcen near the Moroccan border, is the father of Algeria’s nationalist spirit. To claim that this is inconsequential is an affront to the Algerian people’s pride and a grave distortion of historical facts. Sansal’s statements are an egregious insult to Algeria’s national memory.”

Stora’s remarks come as a sharp rebuke to Sansal, exposing what he described as either a lack of historical understanding or a deliberate attempt to spread falsehoods to serve external agendas, including Moroccan propaganda and the far-right narrative in France.

A Legacy of Commitment to Historical Truth

Benjamin Stora’s decades-long dedication to uncovering the complexities of Algerian-French relations lends significant weight to his criticism. Recalling a personal ordeal, Stora revealed that he was forced to relocate to Vietnam in 1995 due to death threats from extremists in France. However, he continued his scholarly pursuit, stating:
“Despite the threats, I did not abandon my research. I remained committed to shedding light on historical truths because the younger generations must have access to accurate historical accounts.”

The Stalemate in the Memory Committee’s Work

In a candid revelation, Stora also acknowledged the cessation of work by the joint Algerian-French committee on memory, which was established to explore the colonial history and promote reconciliation. He attributed this halt to the diplomatic fallout following French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial endorsement of Morocco’s claims over Western Sahara, a decision that triggered Algeria to sever key diplomatic and cultural ties with France.

Stora explained:
“Unfortunately, the work of the joint committee has come to a standstill due to the political discord between Algeria and Paris. This impasse reflects the broader tensions that continue to hinder meaningful progress in addressing our shared historical legacy.”

The last meeting of the committee dates back to May, with plans for a subsequent session in July abandoned following Algeria’s decision to suspend all forms of coordination with France. This decision was prompted by Algeria’s opposition to France’s stance on Western Sahara, an issue that has further strained relations between the two nations.