
Macron Confident of Boualem Sansal's Imminent Release Amid Efforts to Ease Algeria-France Tensions
Sansal's case is under 'special attention' by Algerian authorities, Macron commended during a visit to the Paris Book Festival, adding that the evolution of the case makes him confident that the writer would soon be released.
'I am confident because I know that there is particular attention. I am simply waiting for the results,' Macron said.
He further noted, 'Our strongest wish is for the Algerian authorities to make the decision that will allow him to regain his freedom, receive treatment, and return to writing.'
Macron made the remarks following a visit to the Morocco stand, this year's guest of honor at the festival.
Sansal, who was sentenced on March 27 for 'undermining the integrity of the territory,' has been incarcerated since mid-November 2024.
His politically motivated arrest and sentencing have been described as punishment for comments he made to the far-right French outlet Frontières. Sansal had suggested in the interview that Algeria had inherited territories from Morocco during French colonization.
He has appealed the court's sentence, considering his case as unduly politicized and inadequately tried.
Tensions between Algeria and France have been fraught since July 2024, when Macron voiced his support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
Read also: French Committee Urges Protest Over Boualem Sansal's 10-Year Sentence
Algeria supports the Polisario Front, a separatist group claiming independence in the Western Sahara region in southern Morocco.
The arrest of Sansal added to the Algiers-Paris strain, as did Algeria's refusal, early in 2025, to accept Algerian influencers deported from France.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron ballistically criticized Algeria for imprisoning Sansal, denouncing the move as a 'disgrace.' Speaking before French ambassadors at the Élysée, Macron accused the Algerian authorities of denying the gravely ill author access to medical care.
'Algeria dishonors itself by preventing a gravely ill man from receiving proper care,' Macron stated.
But recent efforts have aimed at easing the friction, including a phone call on March 31 between Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, which marked the beginning of renewed diplomatic dialogue.
Still, it remains to be seen when and whether Algeria will indeed release Sansal in the coming days as part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions with France. Tags: Boualem Sansalfrance algeria tensionsfrance sansalhuman rightsMacron
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Ya Biladi
4 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : Polisario secures gains at South Africa summit
The Polisario Front made significant gains at the recent edition of the « liberation movements » summit, hosted in South Africa by the African National Congress (ANC). On Sunday, July 27, Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, the Front's representative at the event, engaged in discussions with the presidents of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. These nations, alongside Algeria, represent the remaining steadfast allies of the Polisario Front in Africa. During the summit, the four heads of state reiterated their commitment to supporting «the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination» and the «organization of a referendum» in the Sahara through their speeches. Just two days prior, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Mozambique successfully rallied the entire regional bloc to endorse a memorandum of cooperation signed on April 2 with the Polisario during a meeting of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) foreign ministers in Tanzania. This backing for the separatist movement's stance comes nearly two weeks after former South African President Jacob Zuma voiced his support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara while in Rabat.


Ya Biladi
12 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Marseille : A politician close to President Tebboune organizes a trip for children from Tindouf
The «Holidays in Peace» initiative recently made a significant stop in Marseille, where Sahrawi children from the Tindouf camps were warmly received by Samia Ghali, a French-Algerian official who has served as the city's deputy mayor since 2020. «Staying true to its values, Marseille is hosting eight Sahrawi refugees this summer. This visit provides them with an opportunity to engage with local youth and explore the city, along with its greatest treasure: the sea. The connections we forge with these young refugees enhance the friendship between the Mediterranean peoples», Ghali expressed in a heartfelt welcome message shared on social media. As the organizer of this visit, Samia Ghali is recognized for her pro-Algerian views. In May 2024, she traveled to Algiers for a notable meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, attended by the French ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet. Following this encounter at the Al Mouradia Palace, she joined the support committee for the electoral campaign of the «independent candidate» Tebboune in France, ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for September 7, 2023.


Ya Biladi
12 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan MP urges protection for journalist Mohamed El Bakkali detained by Israeli authorities
Last night, Fatima Tamni, a member of the Federation of the Democratic Left (FDG), issued a written appeal to Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, urging him to take action to «protect Moroccan citizen Mohamed El-Bakkali, who is currently detained by Israeli occupation forces». The parliamentarian highlighted the interception of the ship «Handala» by Israeli forces in international Mediterranean waters, describing it as a «dangerous and unprecedented incident». Yesterday evening, a Moroccan journalist working for Al Jazeera sounded the alarm about an impending Israeli assault on the humanitarian vessel «Handala». Back in June, the Israeli military had already intercepted a humanitarian ship destined for Gaza in international waters, which included French MEP Rima Hassan among its passengers. Yesterday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for the protection of Mohamed El Bakkali and American cameraman Waad Mohamed Salim Al Taii, both onboard the «Handala».