Historian Pierre Vermeren Maps the Complex and Troubled Ties Between France, Algeria
Rabat – French historian Pierre Vermeren has cast a stark light on relations between France and Algeria, which he describes as “pathological,” during an appearance on “Points de vue” aired by Le Figaro.
Presenting his latest book, Vermeren revisits a long and tense history shaped by colonization, political decisions, and unresolved grievances.
He recalls that French rule in 1830 came with a narrative that framed domination as continuity, despite Algeria’s earlier experience under various powers, including Ottoman forces.
He rejects the idea of a single Algerian war, instead describing overlapping conflicts that involved decolonization, Cold War dynamics, and internal divisions.
Colonial legacies and flawed independence narratives
While France provided economic and technical support after independence in 1962, Algeria, he argues, cultivated a sense of grievance that persists today.
Vermeren points out that Algeria’s leadership often leveraged anti-French sentiment to consolidate internal power.
During the 1990s civil conflict, called the “black decade,” authorities deliberately emphasized a narrative of French wrongdoing to distract from government failings and the country’s internal violence, which left an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 dead.
Migration, diplomacy, and persistent hostility
The historian traces contemporary migration patterns to policies under Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand, noting that Algeria has since used migration flows as a political lever.
According to Vermeren, Algerian authorities have at times exploited clandestine migration to pressure France, and tensions over legal and political disputes remain acute.
Recent incidents reinforce this perception. France and Algeria have recalled ambassadors, while French media report on attempts by Algerian intelligence to influence French politics through diaspora networks.
Vermeren argues that these actions reflect a pattern of interference, particularly in cities with large Algerian communities, including Marseille, Lille, Lyon, and Paris suburbs.
A relationship dominated by Algeria’s maneuvering
For Vermeren, the current state of relations reflects Algeria’s persistent strategy of deflecting attention from internal problems, from the black decade to economic and political weaknesses, by emphasizing hostility toward France.
While France continues to uphold financial, cultural, and diplomatic links, Vermeren warns that Algeria’s repeated provocations, from arbitrary arrests to manipulations of migration and political influence, have left the bilateral relationship in a near-standstill.
He concludes that unless Algeria reassesses its approach, France will face ongoing challenges in repairing trust and fostering cooperation.
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