Algeria calls for formal apology from France over its colonial past

ALGIERS, (ST)- President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria has called for a full formal apology from France over its colonial past against his country.

Tebboune said in an interview with France 24 TV last night that Paris has already offered half an apology, urging France to continue with this approach and offer its full apology to Algeria.

“We have already had half-apologies. The next step is needed…we are waiting for it,” President Tebboune said.

He added that an apology from France would make it possible to cool tensions between the two countries and create a calmer atmosphere for economic and cultural relations as well as good neighborliness.

 On Friday, Algeria recovered the remains of 24 martyrs of the Algerian resistance-men who had fought against French colonialism that had continued for more than 132 years during which the Algerian people experienced all forms of suffering because of the French occupation’s crimes and acts of killing, torture, oppression and displacement.

The achievement comes amid Algeria’s preparations to commemorate the 58 anniversary of Independence Day, the day in which the Algerians restored the sovereignty, freedom and dignity of their country.

The heroes of the popular resistance in Algeria offered great sacrifices during the period of the French occupation and the blood of more than a million and a half martyrs was shed to win independence.

Hamda Mustafa