The French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans responded to a parliamentary question on July 7, 2025, concerning what France refers to as the 'Oran events'. The parliamentary question had been posed by far-right National Rally MP Cyril Tribuian, who sought clarity on the historical memory file. The minister's written answer, which was published in the Official Journal of the French National Assembly on July 7, 2025, stated that France has made initiatives regarding this memory file. The minister added that France expects "gestures" from the Algerian side in return, indicating a desire for reciprocal actions in addressing the complex historical relationship between the two nations.
French Memory Initiatives
The expected gestures from Algeria are directly linked to the minister's recent visit to Algeria. During this visit, the minister traveled to Sétif alongside French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet to commemorate May 8, 1945. This date holds significant historical weight, as the May 8, 1945 events in Sétif resulted in 45,000 Algerian martyrs killed by the French occupation army and settlers. French authorities consider the minister's visit a significant French step on the memory file, viewing it as a concrete effort towards reconciliation and acknowledgment of past events. French President Emmanuel Macron has also expressed his determination regarding this issue, stating, "عزمه على الشروع في عملية إحياء ملف الذاكرة، والبحث عن الحقيقة، والمصالحة مع الجزائر" (his determination to embark on a process of reviving the memory file, seeking truth, and reconciling with Algeria).
These initiatives form part of a broader French effort to address the colonial past. In 2021, French historian Benjamin Stora was tasked with preparing a full report on the French colonization of Algeria, providing a detailed historical perspective. Following this, a joint committee comprising Algerian and French historians was launched in 2022 to discuss various historical memory issues between the two nations, aiming to foster dialogue and shared understanding. This committee represents a structured approach to tackling sensitive historical narratives and finding common ground.
Algeria's Full Demands
Algeria, however, considers the French colonial issue a full and indivisible matter, spanning the entire period from 1830 to 1962. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune agreed with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to establish a mixed committee to discuss the memory file during Macron's visit to Algeria in August 2022. For Algeria, settling the memory file hinges on a full acknowledgment of atrocities such as the Oufia massacre, the Dahra massacres, and the systematic dispossession of land that occurred in the 1950s. The country also notes the extermination of tribes and deportations to New Caledonia and Cayenne as key elements requiring recognition and redress.
Additionally, Algeria demands the handover of looted archives from the colonial era, which are considered vital for understanding its past and preserving its cultural heritage. The country also seeks cooperation in cleaning sites affected by nuclear tests conducted by France, acknowledging the long-term environmental and health consequences of these activities. Algeria further requests the handover of maps detailing chemical and nuclear waste burial sites, which are essential for remediation efforts, along with full compensation for the victims of these actions and their descendants. These demands show Algeria's view that reconciliation must involve tangible actions addressing the material and human costs of colonialism.
Divergent Views on Progress
The May 8, 1945 events in Sétif, which led to the deaths of 45,000 Algerian martyrs at the hands of the French occupation army and settlers, remain a poignant symbol of the colonial conflict. The French government expects another step from the Algerian authorities regarding the memory file, suggesting a desire for reciprocal gestures following its own initiatives. This expectation follows France's own initiatives, which included the Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans visiting Sétif to commemorate the 1945 events. The French side views this visit as a significant gesture towards reconciliation and an important step in acknowledging the past. However, Algeria's demands extend to a full acknowledgment of all colonial-era atrocities and the return of looted archives, as well as compensation for victims of nuclear tests, indicating a substantial gap in what each side considers sufficient progress towards a complete resolution of the historical memory file. The ongoing dialogue, therefore, continues to navigate these differing perspectives and expectations.