International calls for Paris to disclose nuclear waste maps in the Algerian Sahara

Jean-Marie Collin, director of the French branch of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), has called on French authorities to be transparent regarding the history of their nuclear tests in Algeria. This demand follows an announcement by the Algerian Ministry of National Defense regarding the second stage of operations to clear radioactive waste from the 'Beryl E2' test tunnel in In Eker, Tamanrasset, using domestic expertise. The Ministry condemned Paris for evading criminal responsibility by withholding maps and burial records, which continues to hinder development in the regions of In Eker and Reggane. This development contradicts French claims from September 8, which suggested that information on military nuclear waste was handed over to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during Emmanuel Macron’s 2022 visit. Collin emphasized that France must publish the actual files and maps concerning radioactive zones to resolve the ongoing uncertainty.