In Algiers, questions and criticisms after Emmanuel Macron’s “rough” exit on Algeria – archyde

In Algiers, the words of President Emmanuel Macron, mixing criticism of “Algerian system” and questioning the existence of the “Algerian nation” have held up even the toughest opponents. His words, reported on Saturday October 2 exclusively by The world, were immediately qualified on the social networks of “Serious” and “Dangerous”, and cannot be explained by the only French electoral context.

Even before the Algerian presidency reacts, Abderrezak Makri, the head of the Society for Peace Movement in Algeria (MSP, Islamist), second party represented in the Assembly, castigated ” a declaration of war against Algeria, its state and its people ”. According to the Islamist leader, ” a president ignorant of history, arrogant, insults the Algerian president, and engages in an unprecedented confrontation with the whole political system and treats Algeria as if it were not a sovereign state“.

A question intrigued in Algiers: why did President Emmanuel Macron choose to break with a conciliatory attitude – and even support, according to some opponents – to make judgments of great harshness vis-à-vis the Algerian regime , qualified for “Politico-military system” ? After the publication of the presidential statement announcing a recall of the Algerian ambassador to Paris, the so-called power parties, the National Liberation Front (FLN) and the National Democratic Rally (RND), as well as other small Islamist parties, in turn denounced the words of the French president. The parties of the democratic movement, the Front des forces socialistes (FFS) and the Rassemblement pour la culture et la democratie (RCD), on the other hand, had still not spoken at midday on Monday.

Some militants of the Hirak protest movement believe in cowardly words that Mr. Macron’s statements, by sparking outrage, could help serve the regime. On social networks, it is first of all the questioning of the French Head of State on the existence of the Algerian nation before colonization and, to a lesser degree, his comparison judged ” fake “ between this colonial enterprise and Turkish domination, which arouses the most vehement reactions.

“Get into disorder”

“Yes, the Ottoman ‘presence’ was a genuine occupation. (…) But compare a few hundred janissaries who were content to levy taxes (with difficulty) in the manner of petty thugs, and absolutely did not interfere in the affairs of the “natives”, to a colonization of the population of one hundred and thirty -two years, who transformed even the most remote hamlet, monopolized all the wealth of the country (…), it is all the same deep ignorance ”, was indignant on Facebook the young historian Yassin Temlali

Former minister and diplomat Abdelaziz Rahabi denounced “Opportunism and historical untruths” of President Macron. Algeria, during the first four years of any French presidential term, is ” perceived as a client and a safe partner ”, then like “A scarecrow for the last year”, estimates Mr. Rahabi who identifies “Electoralists” in the words of Mr. Macron.

Taking up the consensual theme of refusing foreign interference, the former diplomat believes that the “Democratization of Algeria must remain an internal demand because the interference of foreign powers is, here as elsewhere, more a factor of slowing down and deviation than an element of acceleration of the experiences of democratic transition”.

One of the few, if not the only, positive stance towards the French president came from political scientist Mohammed Hennad, who estimated, in an interview with Radio M, a private internet radio station, that “Algerians must be grateful to President Macron for having said out loud what the French political class thinks softly and for having put them in the scent of what the French authorities – whom we take for accomplices – really think of Algerian leaders “.

On the impact of this crisis on relations between Algiers and Paris, the political scientist says he does not expect anything in particular “Apart from a few agitations and patriotic tirades”. According to him, “Everything is fine, therefore, to return to order, or rather to the disorder to which we are well accustomed”. An academic, who does not wish to be quoted, believes that the French president expresses, in a way “Rough”, from “Disappointed expectations” with regard to the Algerian regime. According to him, Emmanuel Macron would have hoped for a stronger engagement of Algerians in the Sahel when France recalibrates Operation Barkhane, but ” this “replacement” Algerian did not come ”.