Renowned French historian Benjamin Stora has reiterated the urgent need for France to formally acknowledge its colonial crimes in Algeria. Speaking on Sunday, Stora emphasized the importance of recognizing the atrocities committed against Algerians, including the confiscation of their lands. He described this as a dark chapter in history that certain factions within the French political landscape are attempting to downplay or deny.
During an appearance on AL24 News, Stora, who has faced criticism from the French far-right and nostalgic proponents of ‘French Algeria’ for his anti-colonial stances and writings on historical memory, stressed the necessity of building new bridges between the two nations through collaborative historical work. He referenced the initiative launched by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to establish a joint Algerian-French commission dedicated to history and memory.
Reflecting on the brutal French colonial period in Algeria (1830-1962), Stora highlighted the systematic dispossession of Algerian land, the plundering of its resources, and the massacres committed against its people. He characterized these acts as crimes against humanity, lamenting the fact that these truths are largely absent from French school curricula. ‘France has remained silent’ regarding this tragic period, Stora asserted.
He further emphasized the importance of rewriting this history to make it accessible to the French public, underscoring the crucial role of archives. ‘These archives must be made available to researchers and historians from both sides,’ he stated. Stora also addressed the attacks he has faced from certain political circles in France, particularly from the far-right, who seek to minimize or deny France’s colonial past and its crimes in Algeria. ‘These are the ones who don’t want to hear anything about the massacres committed against Algerians, or about the nuclear tests…’ he explained.
Stora concluded by stating: ‘Now we must see what we can do to set things right and reveal the truth about the French occupation of Algeria.’ He stressed that the acknowledgment of these historical injustices is a crucial step towards reconciliation and a more honest understanding between Algeria and France. Official recognition is vital for progress.
