The Pawn of Anti-Algerian Revisionism: How Sansal Became a Tool for Anti-Algerian Agendas, Revisionist Narratives

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | November 22nd, 2024 — In a blatant display of hostility towards Algeria, French political and intellectual circles have once again rallied around a figure whose narrative aligns with their revisionist and anti-sovereignty agendas. Boualem Sansal, a self-proclaimed intellectual whose literary relevance is as questionable as his ethics, has become the latest puppet in a long-standing campaign to undermine Algeria’s independence, history, and sovereignty.

Sansal, celebrated by France’s far-right and pro-Zionist circles, found himself at the center of an orchestrated uproar following his arrest at Algiers airport. The backlash, spearheaded by known anti-Algerian voices such as Eric Zemmour, Marine Le Pen, and Mohamed Sifaoui, underscores the coordinated efforts of a lobby that perpetuates hostility against Algeria. This cohort, which includes controversial figures like Xavier Driencourt and Valérie Pécresse, has predictably turned Sansal’s detainment into a rallying cry for their anti-Algerian sentiments, masking their agenda under the guise of advocating for human rights.

A Pattern of Manipulation and Opportunism

Sansal’s reputation as a writer has long been marred by accusations of intellectual theft and opportunism. Algerian author Wassini Larredj notably accused him of plagiarizing the title and plot of 2084: The End of the World, exposing his lack of originality and integrity. These revelations align with the broader hypocrisy of a French literary elite that elevates figures like Sansal not for their merit, but for their utility in advancing anti-Algerian narratives.

This comes on the heels of a particularly humiliating week for France’s anti-Algerian lobby. One of their other protégés, Kamel Daoud, was embroiled in controversy after exploiting the trauma of an Algerian victim of terrorism to secure a literary award. Meanwhile, their ally Benjamin Netanyahu faced an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, further tarnishing their credibility.

A Double Standard in Defending Sovereignty

The outcry from Paris over Sansal’s arrest is steeped in hypocrisy. While French officials, including President Emmanuel Macron, decry Algeria’s actions as a violation of free speech, they remain conspicuously silent on their own contradictions. France has yet to demonstrate its supposed commitment to international law by addressing Netanyahu’s indictment, a glaring inconsistency that exposes the selective application of their principles.

Macron himself, who has publicly acknowledged France’s crimes against humanity during its colonial occupation of Algeria, now defends an individual who denies Algeria’s historical existence. This stance undermines the credibility of France’s self-professed reckoning with its colonial past. How can a nation that claims to champion memory laws, such as the Gayssot Act against Holocaust denial, stand in solidarity with a writer whose work negates the very foundations of Algerian nationhood?

Algeria’s Consistent Defense of Sovereignty

In contrast, Algeria has remained steadfast in upholding its sovereignty and historical narrative. The country’s actions, guided by principles of coherence and self-determination, reflect a commitment to preserving its independence against external meddling. Accusations that Algeria stifles freedom of expression ring hollow when juxtaposed with France’s detention of figures like Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, a platform emblematic of global free speech.

Boualem Sansal’s role in this drama is that of a willing pawn—a figure whose utility lies in advancing narratives that seek to delegitimize Algeria on the world stage. By aligning himself with anti-Algerian agendas, Sansal has cemented his legacy not as a writer of substance, but as a tool for those who seek to rewrite history and undermine a sovereign nation.

In the face of such provocations, Algeria remains resolute, standing as a beacon of resistance against revisionism and external interference. Sansal’s theatrics may win him applause from his patrons in Paris, but they will not alter the course of Algeria’s unwavering commitment to its sovereignty and historical truth.

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