Xavier Driencourt’s Right-Wing Propaganda: Le Figaro Amplifies Anti-Algerian Rhetoric Under the Guise of Commentary

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | December 1st, 2024 — In a blatant escalation of its hostile stance against Algeria, the French right-wing newspaper Le Figaro has published an inflammatory dossier in its December 1, 2024 edition. This package features writings by Xavier Driencourt, the former French ambassador to Algeria turned self-proclaimed “Algeria expert,” and an article on Boualem Sansal penned by Guillaume Perrault. The coverage, riddled with factual distortions and ideological biases, exemplifies a broader campaign by far-right elements to undermine Algeria’s sovereignty and historical legitimacy.

A Misleading Narrative by Xavier Driencourt
Driencourt’s contribution perpetuates a false narrative, claiming that Boualem Sansal has become a casualty of the deteriorating bilateral ties between Algeria and France, a breakdown triggered by French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial realignment on the Western Sahara issue. This alleged shift, which has placed France closer to Morocco, is described as having caused a rupture in Franco-Algerian relations. Yet, Driencourt’s assertions not only exaggerate Sansal’s relevance but also ignore the deeper geopolitical complexities underpinning Algeria’s firm stance on sovereignty and anti-colonial solidarity.

Sansal’s Manufactured Influence
In its portrayal of Boualem Sansal, Le Figaro crafts an image of a figure capable of influencing Algerian public opinion—a notion divorced from reality. Sansal, who is virtually unknown among the majority of Algerians, has spent most of his life pandering to French far-right audiences rather than engaging with his homeland. His literary works, entirely published in France, resonate not with Algerian readers but with circles clinging to the colonial myth of “French Algeria.” Far from being a cultural bridge, Sansal has championed narratives denigrating Algeria’s language, faith, and liberation struggle, aligning himself with reactionary ideologies that glorify colonialism.

Historical and Political Context: A Pattern of Betrayal
Sansal’s irrelevance to Algeria’s intellectual or political discourse was starkly highlighted by former Algerian Minister of Industry, El Hachemi Djaâboub. Djaâboub exposed Sansal’s dubious affiliations and questionable overseas assignments, orchestrated by entities hostile to Algeria’s national interests. The former minister’s revelations underline Sansal’s role as a tool for anti-Algerian agendas, particularly those of the French far-right and Zionist lobbies, which have amplified his voice to undermine Algerian sovereignty and identity.

Condemnation from French-Algerian Voices
Prominent French-Algerian politician Karim Zéribi has denounced Sansal as a “pseudo-writer and propagator of hate.” In a scathing critique on Beur FM, Zéribi accused the French far-right, led by figures like Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, of politically weaponizing Sansal to attack Islam and Algeria. “They support Sansal not for his writings but because he serves their agenda of promoting division and Islamophobia,” Zéribi stated, calling for decisive action, including revoking Sansal’s Algerian citizenship. He further urged Algerian authorities to resist such provocations, emphasizing the broader implications of allowing such narratives to go unchallenged.

Historical Revisionism Debunked
Historian Benjamin Stora has similarly discredited Sansal’s misrepresentations of Algeria. Stora’s meticulous research exposes Sansal’s falsehoods, highlighting the propagandist intent behind his claims. By aligning himself with colonial apologists, Sansal undermines the struggle for justice and decolonization, values deeply embedded in Algeria’s national identity.

A Call for Vigilance
The smear campaign spearheaded by Le Figaro and bolstered by figures like Driencourt and Sansal serves a broader geopolitical agenda, reflecting attempts to destabilize Algeria’s regional influence. Algeria, steadfast in its principles of sovereignty and justice, must counter these hostile narratives with resolve. This includes holding to account those who exploit their platforms to propagate disinformation and undermine national unity.

Through vigilance and a commitment to truth, Algeria can dismantle the deceptive rhetoric propagated by its detractors, asserting its rightful place as a beacon of anti-colonial resilience and a voice for justice on the global stage.

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