France’s Interior Minister calls for resetting relations with Algeria beyond colonial legacy

In an interview with French magazine L’Express, France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called for a recalibration of relations with Algeria, emphasizing the need for a “more balanced” partnership.

Retailleau criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s approach, which he described as overly accommodating and sensitive to France’s colonial history in Algeria, deeming it ineffective.

“Since the soft approach has not been sufficient, it seems to me that we must now consider all the means at our disposal to restore the relationship to the right track,” he stated.

The relationship between the two nations has been strained in recent months. Algeria withdrew its ambassador to France in July after France publicly supported Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a stance Algeria strongly opposes. Tensions escalated further with the arrest of several Algerian influencers accused of inciting violence in France, alongside Algeria’s detention of a French-Algerian author critical of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

To mend ties, Retailleau urged a shift in focus from historical grievances to the present.

“To normalize [the relationship] means to remove the emotional charge. And to ensure that we finally enter into an equal-to-equal relationship, without ulterior motives, free from the notion of a perpetual entitlement to reproach France for past events. The current generation can no longer understand. The time has come to turn the page,” he said.

While affirming respect for Algeria’s sovereignty, Retailleau stressed that relations must be based on reciprocity and mutual respect, principles he accused Algeria of neglecting. He reiterated the importance of resetting ties to foster a constructive and equal partnership moving forward.