By Staff Writer
04:10:2021

Algeria on Saturday recalled its ambassador from France, following remarks that have not been denied, which several French sources have attributed by name to (Macron).

Algeria expressed that it categorically rejected the “inadmissible interference in its internal affairs.” Algiers on Sunday also closed its airspace to French military aircraft using this as part of Operation Barkhane, which is currently seeking to combat militancy in the Sahel, but which is supporting dictatorships and military regimes in the process.

Algeria’s strongly worded statement and Ambassador recall follow reports issued by French President Emmanuel Macron that Algeria is a ‘political/military system’ that has ‘rewritten’ its past. He added that the system was ‘tired’ by the 2020 Algerian Hirak protests, which were said during events marking the recognition of Algerians fighting for France, called Harkis.

France also severely decreased the number of visas issued to the Maghreb states, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, arguing that these countries did not entice so-called ‘illegal’ migrants living in France. Morocco criticised the move as ‘regrettable’, while president Kais Saied in Tunisia argued that they were re-assessable, alluding to his need for French support to remain in power.

Algeria recalled its ambassador in May 2020 over France’s airing of a documentary on the Hirak Protests. While alluding to France’s occupation and war against Algeria, Emmanuel Macron was a crime against humanity. In recent months, that torture was utilised has sought to appeal to more right-wing voters by honouring the Harkis amongst others- 20 individuals were provided French ‘orders’ while a further 19 are to receive military ‘orders’ soon.

France occupied Algeria from the 1830s to its independence in 1962. The war for Algerian independence saw over 400 thousand being killed, mainly civilians, as France sought to hold on to its colony.