(MENAFN) Algeria annually observes key milestones tied to its era as a French colony, notably Independence Day on July 5, 1962, and Revolution Day on November 1, marking the 1954 uprising that sparked the liberation struggle. These commemorations are far from ceremonial; they reflect the enduring wounds of colonial rule, and this year, the 71st anniversary comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions following France’s support for Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara and the expulsion of diplomats.

The memories of French domination remain potent in Algeria. November 1, 1954, symbolizes the National Liberation Front’s revolt that mobilized citizens in a fight for sovereignty and inspired independence movements across Africa. Yet, decades later, France and Algeria continue to clash over accountability. Algeria demands recognition, reparations, and transparency, while France often seeks to sidestep legal and political implications of its colonial past.

One long-standing point of contention is the return of Algerian fighters’ skulls, taken as trophies and displayed in French museums for over a century. In 2020, France returned 24 skulls, with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune emphasizing that the fighters had been denied “their natural and human right to be buried for more than 170 years.” Another source of tension is restricted access to colonial archives detailing massacres, torture, and French nuclear tests in the Algerian desert. Algeria continues to press for acknowledgment of atrocities such as the 1945 Setif, Guelma, and Kherrata massacres, and the widespread use of torture during the war.

The struggle over historical narrative has long influenced contemporary diplomacy, affecting migration policies, regional influence, and bilateral relations. France’s attempts at reconciliation, including official visits, have often been met with skepticism. President Emmanuel Macron has alternated between limited acknowledgment and cautious denial. For instance, in 2017 he called colonialism a “crime against humanity,” but later stopped short of offering a formal apology, framing gestures instead as “acts of recognition.” Controversial remarks, such as his 2021 questioning of whether an “Algerian nation” existed before French colonization, have sparked diplomatic crises, including the recall of Algeria’s ambassador and temporary restrictions on French military flights.

Despite French gestures like Macron’s 2022 call for “truth and reconciliation,” many Algerians view these overtures as insufficient. France’s reluctance to fully open archives or confront its colonial crimes, coupled with domestic political sensitivities around colonial history, fuels skepticism in Algiers.

Today, Algeria approaches France from a position of relative strength. Bolstered by energy revenues, regional influence, and an assertive postcolonial identity, Algiers uses its historical memory as diplomatic leverage. The country is also diversifying partnerships: trade with Russia doubled to approximately US$2 billion in 2024, with a target of US$10 billion by 2030, while commerce with China reached $12.48 billion.

The Western Sahara dispute further complicates relations. Algeria’s support for the Polisario Front contrasts with France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty, a move seen in Algiers as both provocative and a signal of France’s attempt to maintain influence in the region. With France’s sway in neighboring Sahel states waning, Algeria’s assertiveness underscores a shifting balance: the former colony now shapes the moral and diplomatic parameters of engagement.

In sum, the legacy of colonial rule continues to define Franco-Algerian relations. Algeria’s insistence on recognition, accountability, and strategic autonomy stands in sharp contrast to France’s selective acknowledgment, cautious rhetoric, and occasional token gestures. As ties deteriorate, historical memory remains a central, potent factor shaping diplomacy and regional strategy.

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