Algeria celebrates independence amid cautious thaw with France

Algeria celebrates independence amid a cautious thaw with France as it marks the 64th anniversary of liberation from French rule. On Sunday, nationwide commemorations honored the anti-colonial struggle while diplomatic signals suggest a gradual rebuilding of ties after nearly two years of tension. Algeria’s Independence and National Sovereignty Day is observed on July 5, 1962, ending 132 years of French colonial rule following the 1954-1962 War of Independence. Algerian authorities say more than 1.5 million people died during the liberation struggle.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune led initiatives in Algiers, including the launch of the National Centre for Digital Services, described by APS as Algeria’s first sovereign digital infrastructure. He also inaugurated a residential district in Rahmania and oversaw distribution of more than 179,000 housing units, choosing Independence Day to link development with independence symbolism. Tebboune, in an anniversary message, characterized French colonialism as a “settler colonial project” and recalled repression and destruction.

The thaw comes as Algeria and France take steps to reduce tensions after a July 2024 diplomatic crisis triggered when Emmanuel Macron backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, prompting Algiers to recall its ambassador. France restored its ambassador, visits resumed, and cooperation on judicial and security matters was agreed to resume.