No Consensus on Memory Between France and Algeria Without Conditions
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | November 24th, 2024 — Dr. Mohamed Oudjratni, professor at Emir Abdelkader University for Islamic Sciences, has asserted that reconciliation over the contentious issue of shared historical memory between Algeria and France cannot materialize without France’s formal acknowledgment of its military and political crimes in Algeria since 1830. The demand for access to and restitution of colonial archives, once limited to Algeria, has now gained significant traction among French intellectuals, marking a shift in the discourse surrounding colonial history.
In a recent interview with Radio Algeria in Constantine, Dr. Oudjratni highlighted the growing French advocacy for transparency regarding their colonial past. “The call for opening and returning archives to Algeria is no longer limited to Algerian demands. Many French intellectuals are now advocating for this, especially after realizing that the so-called ‘heroic acts’ of their ancestors in the colonies were in fact acts of genocide, perpetrated by individuals who should be regarded as war criminals,” he remarked.
The professor emphasized that the stolen Ottoman-era archives, seized by France during its colonial rule, are integral to Algeria’s national memory and must be returned unconditionally. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had previously indicated that Algeria might seek international arbitration or take legal action before global judicial bodies if France continues to resist Algeria’s legitimate demands.
Dr. Oudjratni further elaborated on the significance of preserving national archives, describing them as a cornerstone of Algeria’s historical identity and collective memory. “The national archives are not merely historical records; they are the repository of our people’s memory and the cornerstone of the major historical epochs that Algeria has endured. This necessitates a robust national policy to protect them from natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, as well as human threats including deliberate fires, wars, and theft,” he explained.
Discussing the historical importance of archives, he underlined their role in uncovering the truth about past events. Archives, he noted, enable historians and researchers to trace the origins of historical incidents, analyze their elements, and reconstruct events with objectivity and rigor.
In light of the evolving global approaches to managing and preserving archival material, Dr. Oudjratni stressed the strategic importance of archives in enhancing a nation’s scientific and technological standing. “Today, the strength of nations is increasingly measured by their archives and their ability to manage information and documentation. Algeria must safeguard its archives from loss or neglect while digitizing and modernizing them to facilitate accessibility for researchers and other stakeholders,” he added.
This debate over historical memory and the restitution of archives comes amid heightened scrutiny of France’s colonial legacy, both within its borders and abroad. The issue of archives remains a central and symbolic element in Algeria’s broader struggle for justice, restitution, and acknowledgment of its historical suffering under colonialism.
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