Paris and Rabat’s Sinister Collusion: A Colonial Archive Weaponized Against Algeria

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | November 19th, 2024 — In a troubling revelation, the French-Moroccan alliance has unveiled its underlying objective: targeting Algeria through historical distortions and territorial provocations. Recent developments, including the controversial promise by French President Emmanuel Macron to transfer colonial archives to Morocco, have drawn sharp criticism and exposed a deliberate strategy aimed at undermining Algeria’s sovereignty and historical legitimacy.

Weaponizing Colonial Archives: A Dangerous Precedent

The French publication Jeune Afrique, widely regarded as an echo chamber for Morocco’s monarchy, recently reported that Macron, during his visit to Rabat, pledged to return 2.5 million documents linked to France’s colonial era in Morocco. The magazine suggested that this archive could bolster Morocco’s territorial claims, a statement that starkly reveals the ulterior motives behind this so-called cultural gesture.

Far from being an innocuous act of historical reconciliation, this move appears to be part of a calculated campaign to provoke Algeria and distort historical truths. By insinuating that these archives could serve Morocco’s territorial ambitions, the French government and its Moroccan ally are engaging in a dangerous manipulation of colonial history, seeking to weaponize it against Algeria’s principled stance on sovereignty and decolonization.

Macron’s Reckless Provocations and Algeria’s Firm Stance

Macron’s endorsement of Morocco’s claims, particularly in relation to Western Sahara, reflects a reckless disregard for international law and UN principles. Algeria’s position on inherited colonial borders is firmly grounded in international norms, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. This adherence is not an acknowledgment of France’s colonial legacy but a commitment to the principles of post-colonial sovereignty that protect nations from revisionist narratives.

The contrasting legacies of Algeria and Morocco highlight the profound divergence in their histories. While Algeria’s borders were etched in the sacrifices of its martyrs and the blood of its revolutionaries, Morocco’s territorial claims are rooted in colonial arrangements that continue to serve as tools of subjugation and expansion. Algeria’s legitimacy is derived from its liberation struggle, a historical reality that no archive can undermine or distort.

France’s Cynical Exploitation of History

Macron’s reliance on the colonial past to serve political agendas underscores a troubling pattern of exploitation. Each time France faces diplomatic setbacks or waning influence, it turns to the quagmire of its colonial history, using it as a lever to sow discord and destabilize. This cynical strategy not only erodes France’s credibility but also betrays its failure to reconcile with its colonial crimes.

Moreover, Paris must recognize that its attempt to manipulate Algeria through archival exchanges will meet resolute resistance. Algeria’s revolutionary identity and its unwavering commitment to self-determination render it impervious to such provocations. Unlike dusty colonial documents, Algeria’s sovereignty is enshrined in the enduring spirit of its liberation movement and its adherence to international law.

A Call for Vigilance and Unity

The French-Moroccan alliance’s thinly veiled attempts to challenge Algeria’s sovereignty demand vigilance. Algerians, drawing strength from their revolutionary past, must remain united against external schemes designed to undermine their national integrity. Algeria’s diplomatic professionalism, evidenced in its calm yet firm responses to such provocations, serves as a model for resisting manipulation and upholding principles of justice and sovereignty.

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