France’s colonial echoes: Algeria pushes back against European resolution

Algerian politicians assert that EU Parliament resolution underscores lingering colonial ambitions and reflects a deliberate attempt to undermine Algeria’s sovereignty

ALGIERS, Algeria (MNTV) – Algerian politicians have denounced a recent European Parliament resolution on Algeria, describing it as a glaring display of entrenched hostility, particularly from the French far-right.

The leader of the National Liberation Front (NLF) parliamentary bloc, Mohamed Boutiche asserted that the resolution underscores lingering colonial ambitions and reflects a deliberate attempt to undermine Algeria’s sovereignty.

Boutiche characterized the resolution as a futile recycling of outdated pressure tactics that Algeria has long resisted. He emphasized that the North African nation remains impervious to blackmail or external interference.

“This is not the first time Algerian sovereignty has been targeted,” he said, pointing to a similar European Parliament regulation in 2019, which he claimed was an attempt to destabilize the country during its popular pro-democracy movement, known as the Hirak.

The NLF leader also accused European institutions of double standards, citing their silence on pressing global crises, including the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

“While they claim to champion human rights, they turn a blind eye to the bombing, displacement, and annihilation of Palestinians,” he said, describing this stance as hypocritical and morally bankrupt.

Boutiche reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to its anti-colonial principles, rooted in decades of struggle against French colonial rule. He stressed that Algeria’s history of resistance and the resilience of its people have forged a nation that will not yield to foreign pressure.

“Algeria will continue to stand as a beacon of independence and an inspiration to future generations,” he declared, adding that “history will judge these policies, which only degrade their proponents politically and morally.”

Background

France and Algeria share a complex and tumultuous history, marked by the brutal colonization of Algeria from 1830 to 1962.

During this period, France imposed harsh policies, suppressed Algerian identity, and exploited the country’s resources, leading to widespread resentment and resistance.

Algeria’s war of independence (1954-1962), one of the bloodiest anti-colonial struggles in history, claimed the lives many and left scars on both nations.

In the post-independence era, relations between the two countries have been marked by periods of cooperation and tension.

While France remains Algeria’s largest trading partner, deep-seated mistrust lingers due to unresolved historical grievances, including France’s refusal to fully acknowledge or apologize for its colonial atrocities.

Recent years have seen a rollercoaster relationship between the two nations. Issues such as France’s criticism of Algeria’s human rights record, restrictions on visas for Algerians, and allegations of French interference in Algerian politics have reignited tensions.

Many in Algeria view such actions as remnants of a colonial mindset, fostering a perception of France as a “bully” that seeks to maintain influence in its former colony.

Boutiche’s criticism of the European Parliament’s resolution reflects this broader narrative, underscoring Algeria’s determination to resist foreign pressure and assert its sovereignty in the face of what it perceives as neo-colonial attitudes.