Francois Hollande \"did not come to apologise\" Algiers – Hocine Bousalah French President Francois Hollande did not apologise for colonial crimes in Algeria in his speech to the Algerian Parliament. The socialist leader criticised the French colonisation, describing it as “profoundly brutal and unfair.”
“I recognise the suffering the colonial system has inflicted,” Hollande said.
Hollande, who visits Algeria for the first time after his election in May, also spoke about the May 8 1945 massacres: “History, even when it is tragic, even when it is painful for our two countries, must be told.\"
In his speech before the two houses of the Algerian parliament, Hollande said his visit rested on economic cooperation, youth, movement between the two countries and global stability.
The French President said he did not come to Algeria to sell deals, but to open shared projects as well as enhance trade between the two countries and export French technology to benefit the Algerian industry.
Hollande touched upon the inauguration of the Renault plant in Algeria, saying that France is Algeria’s top investor, but also that his country seeks to “improve its position” in the service of the two countries’ interests.
The French President, whose visit has inspired celebration as well as anger, confirmed France’s commitment to lift restrictions on Algerian students, families and artists travelling to France.
Regarding the 1968 agreement, Hollande said the visa question was “a matter of respect,” also requesting that Algeria take measures to facilitate the entry of French people in the contexts of economic projects and family relations.
Hollande also lauded Algeria’s stances on global crises and said the two countries shared the same principles and that they are both subjected to the same threats, referring to the the crisis in Mali. The French President also praised Algeria’s policy of supporting Malian territorial integrity and expressed “confidence” in the country’s support of the dialogue approach.
Ennahda spokesperson Mohammed Hudaibi criticised Hollande for evading the principal demand: France’s expression of regrets and a formal apology, in accordance with “specific protocols.”
The spokesperson said Hollande’s choice of words was a “clever ruse to win time” and fulfil his true objectives behind the visit. These objectives, Hudaibi said, were “putting together the largest number of economic projects in order to revive the French economy” as well as “drawing Algeria into the Sahel war to seize the region’s wealth.”