Macron trying to seize on year-long ‘warming’ between Algeria and France
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Algeria on Thursday for a three-day official visit aimed at addressing two major challenges: boosting future economic relations and healing colonial-era wounds. The visit comes less than a year after a monthslong diplomatic crisis between the two countries stirred up tensions 60 years after the North African country won its independence from France.
The war in Ukraine has reinforced Algeria’s status as a key partner to provide gas to the European continent. As Macron vies to improve the two countries’ still rancorous relations, joining FRANCE is William Lawrence, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at American University. Macron’s “official visit with 90 people in tow is a major thing,” explains Professor Lawrence. “I do not think Macron will be able to repair the wrongs of history […] but he can make gestures in the right direction.”
