Franco-Algerian Writer Boualem Sansal Breaks His Silence After One Year in Detention in Algeria
For the first time since his release, Boualem Sansal spoke publicly on Sunday evening during the 8 p.m. news on France 2. The Franco-Algerian writer, released on November 12 after one year of imprisonment in Algeria, expressed himself with caution, stating that he was “weighing every word” because of the extremely sensitive diplomatic climate between Paris and Algiers.
Sansal, who has always supported rapprochement between the two countries, explained that he was speaking with restraint, describing himself as usually “exuberant”. He said he constantly thinks of the other detainees, especially French journalist Christophe Gleizes, who remains in prison in Algeria. “He is not the only one. Dozens of political prisoners are behind bars for reasons that are at the very least obscure,” he lamented.
Christophe Gleizes, a journalist for So Foot and Society, was sentenced in June to seven years in prison in first instance for “advocating terrorism”. His appeal trial is scheduled for December 3.
Boualem Sansal also shared that he fears for the safety of his family: “If I return to Algeria with my wife, I am afraid they will arrest my wife as well,” he revealed.
In an interview with Le Figaro, he said he understood early on the reasons behind his arrest. According to him, his friendship with former French ambassador Xavier Driencourt and France’s recognition of Morocco’s full sovereignty over the Sahara, a position strongly rejected by Algerian authorities, played a decisive role.
Diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria have indeed escalated since July 2024, when President Emmanuel Macron expressed full support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, triggering strong backlash from the Algerian regime.
At 81 years old, the writer says he is trying to learn how to live freely again: “You rediscover smells, sounds and sensations that had been forgotten,” he said. Treated during his detention for prostate cancer, he now says he is “in good health” and received “remarkable” medical care.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
