Algiers – The ‘Algiers Declaration,’ the culmination of the International Conference on Colonial Crimes and Justice for Africans and People of African Descent, is being hailed by observers as a pivotal moment for the continent. Many believe it underscores Algeria’s vital role as a leading international and regional player, guiding Africa towards reclaiming its rights and seeking reparations for victims of colonialism.
Historians emphasize Algeria’s steadfast diplomatic efforts in supporting peoples still struggling for self-determination, culminating in the adoption of the ‘Algiers Declaration.’ This move carries significant political messages, signaling Algeria’s return, under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to its natural position as a driving force for a new Africa.
Algeria is reshaping the African narrative with a strategic vision. At the closing of the International Conference on Colonial Crimes and Justice for Africans, the Minister Delegate in charge of African Affairs, Selma Bekhta Mansouri, affirmed that the gathering of delegations and experts in Algiers was not merely an academic or protocol event, but a strategic step.
This step aims to restore Africa to the center of its historical narrative and enable it to reclaim its rightful place in history and the international order. Addressing high-level African delegations, she praised President Tebboune’s strategic decision to sponsor the conference and launch its process, considering this decision to establish a stage where Algeria deals with historical justice as a strength and a path to building a new Africa.
Historian Dr. Mohamed Lahcen Zeghidi, responsible for the national memory file at the Presidency of the Republic, stated that holding the international conference in Algeria carries profound messages in terms of place, time, and content. ‘The choice of Algeria as the venue is significant, given its own history of liberation,’ he noted.
