Tensions between Algiers and Paris: President Tebboune will not take "the first step"
French President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
© AP / AFP / Edit RFI
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1 min
The Algerian president spoke on Friday, November 5, in the German weekly
Der Spiegel
.
In particular, he answers questions about his relations with France and President Emmanuel Macron.
Relations between the two countries were greatly strained after Emmanuel Macron questioned the existence of an Algerian nation before French colonization.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune warns that he will not take the "
first step
" to ease tensions.
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"
We do not touch the history of a people and we do not insult the Algerians,
" said the Algerian president in the German weekly.
The French president "
undermined the dignity of Algerians,
" he continues.
"
With this declaration, Macron sided with those who justify colonization,
" he asserts.
Read also: Crisis between Algiers and Paris: Emmanuel Macron plays appeasement
Abdelmadjid Tebboune, questioned on the why of Emmanuel Macron's remarks, believes that these are electoral aims.
“
It's the same speech that the far-right journalist, Eric Zemmour, has been using for a long time,
” he denounces.
"
We are no longer obliged to cooperate with each other,
" said the Algerian president.
In early October, Abdelmadjid Tebboune
recalled his ambassador
to Paris.
It had also prohibited the
overflight of its territory to French military planes
which circulate over Algeria to join the Sahelian strip and the Barkhane operations.
"
They will just have to fly nine hours instead of four hours,
" he said.
On the issue of security in Mali, if Malians are faced with an attack, President Tebboune says he is ready to intervene, only if Bamako asks for help.
But, he warns, there is no question of sending his soldiers “
for the interests of others
.
"
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Algeria
France
Emmanuel Macron
Abdelmadjid Tebboune