THE CHALLENGES OF EMMANUEL MACRON'S TRIP

IN ALGERIA

Since his election in 2017, the French president, the first to be born after the war in Algeria, has multiplied memorial gestures, based in particular on the Stora report. On the responsibility of the French state in the death of Maurice Audin (tortured communist activist) or the assassination of lawyer Ali Boumendjel. On compensation for harkis. By proceeding with the declassification of archives over fifty years old covered by defense secrecy. But Algiers asked for more, a gesture of repentance for the 132 years of colonization. However, Emmanuel Macron then criticized the Algerian regime for exploiting the “memorial rent” around the war of independence.

Emmanuel Macron has just reaffirmed during his arrival in Algeria on Thursday August 25, 2022 his conviction that we must look history in the face, France and Algeria have a shared history, painful but which should not prevent the two countries from to move forward together, believes the president. It is not a question of speaking of repentance for the French president but of recognition of historical truths. Emmanuel Macron went further this Friday by explaining that the search for "the truth" and "recognition" was more important than "repentance" on these issues which poison the relationship between Paris and Algiers.

“I often hear that, on the question of memory and the Franco-Algerian question, we are constantly summoned to choose between pride and repentance. Me, I want the truth, the recognition (because) otherwise we will never move forward, ”declared the French president during a press briefing in Algiers on the second day of his visit to Algeria.

Economic issues.

Although Algeria is the leading African gas exporter and supplies around 11% of the gas consumed in Europe, Mr. Macron denied that France had "gone to Canossa" to beg gas from Algeria. "France depends little on gas in its energy mix, about 20%, and in this whole, Algeria represents 8 to 9%, we are not in a dynamic where Algerian gas could change the situation". In addition, he pointed out that France had already "secured its volumes" for the winter, and "stocks are at 90%". “On the other hand, it is a very good thing that there is increased collaboration and more gas going to Italy”, he insisted, underlining the need for “European solidarity”. Since the start of 2022, Algeria has supplied Italy with 13.9 billion m3, exceeding the previously scheduled volumes by 113%. In contrast,

It is that France is no longer the number one partner of Algiers, supplanted by China. Commercial rent positions are a thing of the past. Emmanuel Macron's delegation also includes the leaders of the companies Engie and Free, even if no major contract is expected during this visit. In addition, the Élysée wishes to address Algerian youth, start-ups and SMEs during this trip.

Algeria, meanwhile, wants to take advantage of high energy prices to land big contracts and investment projects, as it has already done with Italy and Turkey. “Algeria seeks solid economic relations and a serious partnership,” an Algerian official said on condition of anonymity.

Strategic issues

Another issue, and not the least important, is the regional context. “Coordination with the Algerian authorities is essential”, in terms of security, it is estimated at the Elysée. Indeed, despite the departure of French troops from Mali, stabilizing the Sahel and containing the jihadist threat remains a priority for Europe. Algiers remains a privileged interlocutor of Mali as of Niger and has a long border with Libya. In addition, the strengthening of the traditional links of the Algerian power with Moscow, which is increasingly active in the region, also worries Paris.

In the fall, Russia will take part in a joint military exercise with the Algerian army in Algeria.