The Memory Dossier: France’s Colonial Legacy Remains a Barrier to Bilateral Ties

The issue of historical memory continues to hinder relations between Algeria and France, as Paris persists in an selective approach that lacks political courage. Despite Algeria's earnest efforts to resolve the dossier based on parity and mutual respect, French authorities maintain an arrogant stance, refusing a comprehensive official apology for colonial crimes and settling for piecemeal recognitions.

The divide is underscored by several key issues: France continues to cling to a colonial mentality that glorifies its past, imposes bureaucratic obstacles to the return of looted archives, and evades legal and moral responsibilities regarding the environmental damage caused by nuclear tests in the Algerian desert. Moreover, internal French political pressures, particularly from the far-right, treat the memory file as a hostage to electoral interests.

In contrast, Algeria stands firm on the principles of sovereignty and equality. Leadership, including President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Army Chief Saïd Chengriha, has emphasized that any future cooperation cannot be built upon the erasure of history or the neglect of Algerian sacrifices. Algeria rejects any narrative that equates the crimes of the occupier with the legitimate war of national liberation, insisting that genuine reconciliation requires confronting the past with boldness and full justice.