President Tebboune Slams Hostile French Political Rhetoric: A Call for Accountability and Diplomatic Integrity
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | February 3rd, 2025 — In an unflinching and forceful interview with the French daily L’Opinion, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivered a scathing critique of the deteriorating state of Franco-Algerian relations, attributing the rift to the relentless hostility emanating from certain French political factions. Candid and uncompromising, Tebboune dissected the root causes of the strained ties, calling out the hypocrisy, double standards, and opportunistic exploitation of Algeria within France’s domestic political landscape.
A Climate of Hostility and Manipulation
President Tebboune minced no words in condemning the inflammatory rhetoric propagated by far-right and right-wing figures in France, which he deemed responsible for poisoning the political climate between the two nations. “The atmosphere is toxic; we are wasting time with President (Emmanuel) Macron,” he lamented, pointing to the persistent obstacles in resolving historical grievances despite high-level diplomatic engagements.
Referring to the ambitious roadmap established following Macron’s 2022 visit to Algiers, which was further reinforced by the visit of then-Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne—whom he described as “a competent woman who knows her dossiers”—Tebboune acknowledged that beyond trade relations, political dialogue has all but collapsed. The reason, he asserted, lies in the “daily hostile statements from French politicians,” citing far-right figures such as Éric Ciotti and Jordan Bardella, whose incendiary discourse has exacerbated tensions.
He further expressed his concerns about the potential leadership of Marine Le Pen, questioning whether her government would resort to authoritarian measures against Algerians: “How does Madame Le Pen intend to act if she assumes power? Will she orchestrate another Vel d’Hiv-style roundup, imprisoning all Algerians before deporting them?” The blunt comparison underscored Tebboune’s alarm over the resurgence of extremist narratives in French politics.
Historical Memory: A Stalled Reckoning
The Algerian leader also took aim at France’s reluctance to fully confront its colonial past, particularly the unresolved issue of nuclear contamination from tests conducted in the Algerian Sahara. “Nothing should be swept under the rug,” he insisted, emphasizing the moral, humanitarian, and political imperative of decontaminating affected areas and providing full historical disclosure. Failure to do so, he warned, could push the two nations towards an “irreparable break.”
On the delicate subject of historical reconciliation, Tebboune acknowledged the work of historian Benjamin Stora and the joint French-Algerian commission tasked with documenting colonial atrocities. However, he lamented the lack of depth in their findings, stating, “I have the utmost respect for Stora, but I regret that we have not gone far enough in addressing the core issues.”
The 1968 Agreements: A Convenient Political Target
Turning to the renewed calls within France to annul the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreements, which regulate migration and residency rights, Tebboune dismissed such demands as mere political posturing. “Why scrap a text that has been revised in 1985, 1994, and 2001?” he questioned, highlighting how certain French politicians exploit the topic to attack broader Franco-Algerian accords, including the 1962 Evian Agreements that ended colonial rule. He likened the rhetoric to the demagoguery of Pierre Poujade, whose ultra-nationalist movement fanned the flames of anti-Algerian sentiment in the past.
Media Manipulation and Bolloré’s Anti-Algerian Crusade
Tebboune reserved particularly harsh words for the French media empire controlled by Vincent Bolloré, accusing it of spearheading a deliberate campaign to tarnish Algeria’s image. “Their daily mission is to destroy Algeria’s reputation,” he declared, condemning the stifling of alternative perspectives in French public discourse. However, he clarified that Algeria maintains professional relations with other French media outlets, both public and private, drawing a sharp distinction between constructive journalism and politically motivated defamation.
Western Sahara and Palestine: Non-Negotiable Red Lines
On the international front, Tebboune reaffirmed Algeria’s unwavering stance on the Western Sahara conflict, disclosing that he had explicitly warned President Macron against shifting France’s traditional neutrality in favor of Morocco’s expansionist ambitions. “Changing course on Western Sahara would be a monumental mistake,” he cautioned, reiterating Algeria’s full support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
His message was equally resolute regarding Palestine, asserting that Algeria will never compromise its position. “We would consider normalization with Israel only on the day a fully sovereign Palestinian state is established,” he affirmed, signaling Algeria’s continued opposition to normalization efforts that sidestep Palestinian rights.
Tebboune on Power and Political Integrity
Finally, addressing speculation about his political future, Tebboune dismissed any notion of clinging to power beyond his constitutional mandate. “I have no intention of staying in office indefinitely. I will abide by the Algerian Constitution,” he asserted, reinforcing his commitment to democratic governance and institutional integrity.
A Defining Crossroad for Franco-Algerian Relations
President Tebboune’s forthright remarks underscore Algeria’s growing impatience with France’s political maneuvering and its refusal to engage in sincere, respectful dialogue. As tensions continue to mount, the burden now falls on Paris to recalibrate its approach. Will France opt for constructive diplomacy, or will it allow reactionary forces to drive an irreversible wedge between the two nations? In Tebboune’s words, the answer lies with “the Republic of France, and above all, its President.”
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