Algiers – Robert Ménard, the mayor of Béziers, France, has ignited controversy with provocative statements claiming the Algerian city of Oran as his “home.” This declaration underscores the persistent colonial mindset within certain far-right circles in France.
Ménard, known for his hardline right-wing views and affiliations with nostalgic colonial movements, recently attacked Algeria, expressing a sentimental attachment to Oran that evokes the era of French occupation. His remarks have been widely condemned as insensitive and indicative of a bygone era.
Ménard’s comments are not a mere slip of the tongue; they represent a colonial mentality that fails to recognize the irreversible end of imperial dominance. Referring to an Algerian city as “home” reflects a lingering delusion of control characteristic of the dark colonial past. Oran belongs solely to the Algerians who have lived, fought, and bled for its liberation. It is an inherently Algerian city with a rich history, culture, and Arab-Amazigh-Islamic identity, leaving no room for morbid colonial nostalgia.
More concerning is that Ménard’s voice is not isolated. He represents a significant segment of the French far-right and nostalgic elite who refuse to acknowledge the crimes of colonialism, attempting to sanitize a bloody period during which Algeria suffered for over 132 years. This entrenched colonial mindset explains many of the ongoing tensions in Algerian-French relations. Certain French factions insist on treating Algeria with condescension, refusing to fully acknowledge the atrocities committed in the name of “civilization” and “enlightenment.”
Algeria today is a sovereign and independent nation. Ménard and others of his ilk must understand that the Algeria of today is not the occupied territory they once dreamed of enslaving. It is a nation proud of its hard-won independence and determined to chart its own course.
DZWatch remains committed to providing insightful analysis on matters concerning Algeria’s relationship with the world.
