French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was pardoned on November 12 by Algeria after a year in prison, spoke for the first time since his release, Sunday, November 23, in France 2. Finding life as a free man is ” complicated “first declared Boualem Sansal. “We found life again, scents, murmurs, things we didn’t understand well”explained the 81 year old writer who said to himself “in good health” after being treated “in a very extraordinary way” for prostate cancer.
he claimed “Everyone’s in control (his) words “ because of the diplomatic context between Paris and Algiers and “think Christophe Gleizes”French sports journalist remains detained in Algeria. “I’m not talking to you naturally, because by nature, I’m a bit passionate, there I control my every word”he stressed. “I think of Christophe Gleizes, he was not the only one, there were several dozen political prisoners”he added.
Boualem Sansal also predicted, in an interview with Figaro published Sunday evening, that his detention in Algeria was primarily related to France’s position in Western Sahara. “I immediately understood that this was France’s recognition of the Moroccan nature of Western Sahara (…) and my friendship with Xavier Driencourt, the former French ambassador (…)who caused this story »he told the daily. On France 2, he assured: “I always support reconciliation between France and Algeria”.
Paris and Algiers are mired in a crisis sparked in July 2024 when Emmanuel Macron backed a plan for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty for Western Sahara, claimed for 50 years by Algiers-backed separatists.
Received by Emmanuel Macron on his return
Boualem Sansal also claims that Bruno Retailleau is his ” Friend “ even if he admits that the former Minister of the Interior, who was very tough on Algeria, could have done so “in a certain way” obstacles to his release: “In a way, yes, because this offers Algeria the opportunity to answer: “Look, these are our enemies, they hate us, etc.” But with or without Bruno Retailleau, they would react the same to anyone. »
Imprisoned in Algeria for a year, Boualem Sansal gained his freedom on November 12. He was pardoned by the Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who responded favorably to requests from German authorities. The author returned to France on Tuesday, after being transferred to Berlin for medical treatment. He was received by Emmanuel Macron on his return.
Boualem Sansal was sentenced to five years in prison for “attack on national unity” following comments made in October 2024 to French right-wing media Border. He claimed that Algeria inherited certain territories in the west of the country, especially Oran and Mascara, which he believed previously belonged to Morocco.
An award-winning figure in French-language North African literature, Boualem Sansal is known for his criticism of the Algerian government and Islamist groups. His detention exacerbates a dispute between Paris and Algeria sparked in July 2024 when France recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
