Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

Macron Questions Existence of Algeria Before French Colonization

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Le Monde
  • 2 Oct 2021 21:23
  • 10 Shares
3 Min Read

French President Emmanuel Macron asked Saturday whether or not an Algerian nation existed before French colonization, attacking the 'completely re-written official history' of Algeria.

  • x
  • French President Emmanuel Macron in an undated photo | EPA
    French President Emmanuel Macron in an undated photo (EPA)

President Emmanuel Macron of France made several controversial, shocking, and unprecedented statements toward Algeria and its president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, whom he accused of being influenced by those around him despite the good relations Macron said he has with the Algerian president.

Macron's statements came Thursday during a two-hour meeting with 18 young French youths of Algerian origin in the Elysee Palace, whose aim was to 'freely' discuss the French 'conflict' with Algeria, which saw France murdering and dismembering Algerians. The meeting was reported on by the French Le Monde.

Macron condemned what he called "hate towards France" in Algerian society, saying it is the basis of the official history of Algeria, which he denounced as "completely re-written" and "unfactual."

"The Algerian official history is not based on facts but rather on a discourse which, it must be said, is based on hatred of France."

On Algeria's political state, Macron said that he perceives a "tired Algerian regime," which was "rendered fragile by the Hirak," he said. Macron noted that he has a good dialogue with President Tebboune, but he sees that the latter "is stuck in a harsh system."

Visas Were to Pressure 'Leaders'

Related News

Legal troubles worsen for Le Pen as French far-right struggles: FT

Macron calls on UK to recognize Palestine during State visit

After France announced that it would halve the number of visas available to Algerians, President Macron said France is using that as a means to pressure the "leaders," assuring that the decision would not affect students nor the business community. "Instead, we are going to annoy those in the ruling community who used to apply for visas easily," he said.

Macron told Le Monde halving the number of visas available for Algerians is a means to pressure the "leaders" into cooperating with France. It was to tell them that "if you do not cooperate on putting away those who are illegal and dangerous, we will not make your life easier."

Once a Colonizer, Always a Colonizer

French President Macron hopes for the establishment of a French "editorial production" in Arabic and Berber to "combat" the "disinformation" and "propaganda" in Morocco, "which are spread by the Turks most of the time, completely re-writing history."

Macron projected a French superiority complex: "Was there an Algerian nation before French colonization?" He argued that there had been previous colonizations before the French one, citing the Ottoman Empire's colonization of Algeria.

"I am fascinated to see Turkey's capability of making the world completely forget the role it played in Algeria and its hegemony. To argue that we were the only colonialists, that's brilliant. The Algerians believe that," he quarreled. 

Previously, Macron admitted, "in the name of France," that the French army tortured and assassinated Algerian activist and freedom fighter Ali Boumendjel in 1957. France promoted the idea that his assassination was a suicide to cover up their crime.

Algeria's Response

Algeria responded to the French president's statements by recalling its ambassador to France for consultation in light of the mounting tensions.

"Algeria recalls its ambassador [Mohamed Antar-Daoud] from Paris for consultations," state television said, quoting a statement from the presidency.

State television said a longer statement would follow soon to explain the Algerian move.

  • Emmanuel Macron
  • France
  • Algeria
  • President Abdelmadjid Tebboune

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS