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 stance and ties to nostalgic colonial movements, recently attacked Algeria, expressing a purported emotional connection to Oran. This is perceived as a clear reference to France’s colonial past.
His remarks are not viewed as a mere slip of the tongue, but rather as an expression of a colonial ideology failing to recognize the irreversible end of the imperial era. Referring to an Algerian city as ‘home’ reflects a continued illusion of dominance characteristic of a dark colonial period. Oran is the home of Algerians who fought for its liberation, sacrificing their lives for independence. It is distinctly Algerian, with its own history, culture, and Arab-Amazigh-Islamic identity, leaving no room for morbid colonial nostalgia.
More concerning is that Ménard’s views are not isolated. He represents a significant segment of the French far-right and nostalgic elites who refuse to acknowledge the crimes of colonialism, attempting to sanitize a bloody era in which Algeria suffered for over 132 years.
This entrenched colonial mentality explains much of the ongoing tension in Algerian-French relations. Certain French factions insist on treating Algeria with a patronizing and condescending attitude, refusing to fully acknowledge the crimes committed in the name of ‘civilization’ and ‘enlightenment.’ They must understand that today’s Algeria is not the occupied territory they once dreamed of enslaving forever. It is a sovereign and independent nation.
