French President Emmanuel Macron has called upon Algerian authorities to release French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was sentenced to five years in prison for remarks deemed a threat to Algeria’s national security.
Sansal, 80, was arrested in November upon his arrival at Algiers airport from Paris. His detention and subsequent sentencing have drawn international criticism, with concerns raised about his health and freedom of expression.
It is worth knowing that Sansal was charged under Algeria’s anti-terrorism laws after commenting in a French media interview that France unfairly ceded Moroccan territory to Algeria during colonial times.
However, this led to accusations of undermining Algeria’s territorial integrity. His sentence includes a fine of 500,000 Algerian dinars. Sansal, who has cancer, is currently imprisoned in a hospital ward.
President Macron expressed concern over Sansal’s “arbitrary detention” and health condition, stating that such actions hinder the restoration of trust between France and Algeria.
He emphasized the need for “common sense and humanity” in resolving the situation.
In earlier response, Algeria’s parliament criticized Macron’s remarks as “blatant interference” in the country’s internal affairs, asserting that the case is under judicial review according to Algerian law.
The Algerian foreign ministry also rejected Macron’s comments, stating that Sansal’s detention pertains to challenging the nation’s territorial integrity, an offense punishable under Algerian law.
Sansal’s imprisonment has sparked international outrage, with prominent writers and human rights organizations calling for his release and highlighting concerns over freedom of expression in Algeria.
Relations between France and Algeria have been strained recently, particularly after France supported Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a move that Algeria opposed.
However, in Monday’s call, Macron and Tebboune spoke of their willingness to repair relations, and to resume cooperation on security.
They also said that “fluid” migration between the two countries should “immediately” be restored — seeking to soothe tensions after Algiers refused to accept the return of undocumented Algerian migrants from France.
A joint panel of historians plumbing the past between France and Algeria, its former colony that won independence in 1962 after a bloody eight-year conflict, will also get back to work, they said.
The two leaders also agreed in “principle” to meet in person at a future date, the statement said.
Tebboune said a week ago that he viewed Macron as the “only point of reference” for mending French-Algerian ties.
