The recent Algerian legislative move to criminalize French colonialism is not merely a symbolic act of historical justice; it is a profound geopolitical signal. According to Dr. Hosni Kitouni, a researcher in colonial history at the University of Exeter, this development is a direct consequence of a fundamental shift: the dramatic decline of France’s traditional influence in Algeria. This decline, he argues, has created the political space for Algeria to assert its own narrative and demands with unprecedented force.
The Unreconciled Mindset: France’s Persistent Colonial Hangover
Dr. Kitouni identifies the core of the problem as residing within powerful segments of the French political establishment, particularly the far-right. “The issue,” he explains, “is that a significant political force in France remains psychologically anchored in the pre-1962 era. For them, Algeria’s independence was not a legitimate act of self-determination but a catastrophic ‘loss’ for la Grande Nation.” This mindset precludes a relationship based on mutual respect and the “win-win” principle Algeria seeks. Instead, it fosters a desire for subordination—a dynamic where France dictates terms, a relic of the colonial relationship that is untenable in the 21st century.
This is not just about rhetoric. It manifests in tangible diplomatic friction over issues like colonial-era archives, the recognition of colonial crimes, and France’s visa policy toward Algerian nationals. The criminalization law can be seen as Algeria’s forceful response to this entrenched French reluctance to fully confront and atone for its colonial past on Algeria’s terms.
The Vanishing Bridge: The Erosion of France’s Algerian Network
Kitouni provides a crucial, often-overlooked dimension to explain France’s waning leverage: the disappearance of a pro-French Algerian elite. For decades after independence, France maintained significant soft power through deep ties with certain Algerian political, business, and intellectual circles. These elites, often educated in France and with strong economic links, could act as informal advocates for French interests within Algerian power structures.
“The decline of French influence,” Kitouni notes, “is directly tied to the generational shift and political evolution within Algeria itself.” A new generation of leaders and citizens, less connected to France and more attuned to national sovereignty and South-South partnerships, has risen. Algeria has actively diversified its economic and diplomatic ties, turning toward China, Russia, and other African nations. Consequently, France has been demoted from its once-privileged position. As Kitouni starkly puts it, “France has become a secondary state for Algeria.” This loss of a sympathetic internal constituency means Paris can no longer rely on back-channel influence and must engage with the Algerian state as a whole on a more equal—and often more adversarial—footing.
A New Geopolitical Calculus: Criminalization as Sovereign Assertion
Therefore, the criminalization of colonialism is more than a historical bill; it is an act of contemporary political sovereignty. It demonstrates that Algeria feels confident enough to redefine the foundational terms of its relationship with its former colonizer, without fear of severe economic or political reprisal. This assertiveness is enabled by:
- Energy Sovereignty: As a major gas exporter, especially following the Ukraine war, Algeria’s economic leverage has increased.
- Regional Leadership: Algeria sees itself as a leading power in North Africa and the Sahel, a region where France’s influence is also contested.
- Memory as Politics: By legally codifying the criminality of the colonial period, Algeria seeks to permanently settle the historical argument on its own terms, forcing France into a defensive diplomatic position.
In essence, the law is a mirror reflecting a new reality. The power dynamic has shifted. Algeria is no longer a nation pleading for recognition of its trauma but a state legislating the terms of that recognition. France’s struggle to respond effectively—oscillating between symbolic gestures of reconciliation and statements of irritation—underscores its difficulty in adapting to this new paradigm where its former colony holds increasingly significant cards. The criminalization debate is, at its heart, the most recent and potent battleground in the long and painful process of decolonization, now being fought with legal codes and diplomatic pressure rather than rifles, but with no less intensity.
This analysis is based on an interview with Dr. Hosni Kitouni. For the original report (in Arabic), you can view the full content on Echorouk Online.