Calm relations between Algeria and France, "two independent countries, two sovereign countries", are possible. In an interview with France 24, Abdelmadjid Tebboune said that "with President Macron", there is a possibility of "going far in appeasement, in solving the memory problem". For the President of the Algerian Republic, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron was "honest" and "clean" compared to the colonial past.

Abdelmadjid Tebboune particularly welcomes the return of skulls from Algerian fighters and hopes for other gestures in this direction. After what he describes as France's "half-apologies" for the crimes committed during the colonial period, the Algerian head of state hopes that Paris will make real excuses.

Regarding the Hirak protest movement, Abdelmadjid Tebboune suggests that other releases of prisoners are possible. According to him, the country is moving towards a "much calmer" climate. The president hopes to be able to organize a referendum on a new constitution which will end the presidential regime in September.

Risk of "somalisation" of Libya

While asserting that it is up to justice to do its job, Abdelmadjid Tebboune suggests that he is not in favor of Abdelaziz Bouteflika being tried. He also denies having been in favor of the former president's fifth term.

Concerning the Libyan file, Abdelmadjid Tebboune affirms that the situation in the country is comparable to that of Syria, with multiple foreign interventions. He warns that the risk is now that the Libyan tribes will take up arms in their turn, raising fears of a "somalisation" of Libya, which would become a terrorist threat for the whole region.

Algeria is ready to host a mediation between Libyans, he affirms, estimating that the efforts of the German chancellor have failed and that many actors of the conflict are favorable to it.

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