Algeria’s conspiratorial delusion: When the military junta sinks further into ridicule
The Algerian military junta never ceases to amaze. Infuriated by the strategic rapprochement between France and Morocco, and even more by France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, it has embarked on a full-blown paranoia spree. The latest episode? A far-fetched accusation against France, claiming it is conspiring to destabilize Algeria using jihadists!
The Fertile Imagination of Algeria’s Generals
In a maneuver reminiscent of poorly written spy novels, the public channel AL24 News unveiled on December 7 a so-called scandal involving the French DGSE (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure). According to this “revelation,” a 35-year-old Algerian, described as a former repentant jihadist, was allegedly recruited in 2022 to infiltrate armed groups in the Sahel before being tasked with recruiting jihadists to destabilize Algeria.
Naturally, the supposed “repentant” did none of this, choosing instead to report these absurd orders to Algerian security forces. The story is so grotesque that it could have remained a purely internal affair, feeding the anti-French rhetoric of the official propaganda machine. But no, the junta decided to take it to the international stage, summoning the French ambassador for a surreal reprimand.
Nationalism to Mask Economic and Diplomatic Failures
This accusation is just the latest in a long series of theatrical stunts aimed at distracting from the country’s real problems. After all, the people need to be entertained when the economy is collapsing, freedoms are eroding, and the nation remains mired in chronic stagnation.
The formula is well-known: play the card of exaggerated nationalism by harping on about “French misdeeds,” whether real or imagined. The obedient press gleefully indulges in this narrative, fostering an atmosphere of mistrust and hatred against its Mediterranean neighbor and its supposed “accomplice,” Morocco.
“Macron’s Betrayal” and Algeria’s Anti-Moroccan Obsession
Ever since French President Emmanuel Macron had the audacity, on July 30, 2024, to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, Algeria has been in an existential crisis. This shift is seen as an absolute betrayal. Yet, isn’t it a logical and coherent acknowledgment in line with international positions favoring Morocco’s autonomy plan?
For Algeria’s junta, however, it’s an intolerable affront, as the Western Sahara issue is heavily instrumentalized to maintain a façade of national unity around an aggressive foreign policy. Unwavering support for the Polisario has become Algeria’s obsession, even at the cost of sacrificing diplomatic ties with key powers like France.
Retaliatory Measures: Absurdity and Repression
Since Macron’s visit to Morocco in October, Algeria has ramped up its acts of vengeance:
- An unnecessary controversy over Houris, the novel by Franco-Algerian author Kamel Daoud, a Goncourt laureate.
- The arbitrary arrest of writer and opponent Boualem Sansal, aged 75, under the vague pretext of “endangering state security.”
These desperate gestures reveal a regime on its last legs, incapable of managing its internal contradictions except by repressing its own citizens and lashing out at imagined enemies.
When the Junta Hits Rock Bottom… and Keeps Digging
The Algerian military junta has locked itself into a spiral of diplomatic isolation and authoritarian excesses. Accusing France of fueling jihadism is not only absurd but also dangerous. It further discredits a regime that has never been able to offer credible prospects to its people.
Meanwhile, Morocco moves forward. It builds strong alliances, gains international influence, and reaps the rewards of coherent and proactive policies. Algeria, on the other hand, wallows in fantasies and self-sabotage. One thing is certain: the real danger to Algeria does not come from Paris or Rabat but from its own regime.
Abderrazzak Boussaid / Le7tv
