In a recent statement, French historian Benjamin Stora has called on France to confront its colonial past in Algeria with courage and officially acknowledge the crimes committed against Algerians. These crimes, he asserts, range from land confiscation to bloody massacres.
Stora emphasized that this historical period continues to cause unease within certain French political circles, where there are attempts to obscure or question the truth. He believes that acknowledging the truth is a crucial step towards building trust between the two nations.
In an interview, Stora highlighted that recognizing historical truth is the only way to build new bridges between Algeria and France. He praised the initiative of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to establish a joint Algerian-French committee on history and memory, aimed at addressing outstanding issues with transparency and responsibility.
The historian pointed to the dark chapters of the occupation, spanning from 1830 to 1962, highlighting the plundering of resources, the seizure of land, and the massacres committed against Algerians. He described these actions as crimes against humanity. He expressed regret over the absence of these facts from French school curricula, considering it a form of ongoing historical denial.
Stora stressed that France has remained silent for too long regarding this tragic period. He called for a rewriting of its colonial history to make it accessible to the French public. He also emphasized the need to open archives to researchers from both countries, allowing the truth to be recovered, free from political selectivity.
The French historian also revealed that he has faced fierce attacks from far-right movements in France due to his anti-colonial stance and his defense of Algerian memory. He noted that these groups attempt to justify the colonial past and downplay the horror of nuclear crimes and massacres committed by France in Algeria.
Stora concluded by stating that the time has come to set things right and reveal the truth.
