Former French Ambassador Discusses "The Algerian Enigma" in Toulon Conference

Drawing on his eight years as French ambassador to Algeria, Xavier Driencourt gave a conference on the rather evocative theme: The Algerian Enigma. In an interview with Nice Matin, the Algeria expert explains that he chose this theme "because, since we colonized Algeria for 132 years, we believe we know this country, but in reality it is not the case. Algeria remains an enigmatic, closed, opaque, mysterious country. We sorely lack sensors..."

For the former ambassador to Algeria, the relationship between this country and France "is a sinusoidal: we get angry, then we reconcile... Only recently, Algiers decided to ban the teaching of French in private schools that allowed preparation for higher education in France. Last June, Algeria had, in a way, supported the rioters in France and it has reintroduced an anti-France verse in its national anthem! If we want things to change, we need to establish a power relationship with Algeria."

"Under Mitterrand, Chirac, Sarkozy and even Hollande, there was a balance between our positions towards Algeria and Morocco. But since the election of Emmanuel Macron, we have totally bet on Algeria. And this bet is turning into a trap. We only reap insults, humiliations from Algiers and we have fallen out with Morocco, which demands that France recognize its sovereignty over Western Sahara as Spain has done. Today, France is not on good terms with any country in the Maghreb. This is rather worrying," he analyzed.

The specialist on Algerian issues, who calls for more firmness towards Algeria, is in favor of a renegotiation of the Franco-Algerian agreement of 1968 which defines the conditions of circulation, stay and work of Algerians in France. "It was even I who first, last May, launched the idea in a note written for the Foundation for Political Innovation. This idea was then taken up by Édouard Philippe, Éric Ciotti, Manuel Valls, Éric Zemmour or even Jordan Bardella."