As Europe marks 80 years since the defeat of fascism and the end of World War II, Algeria is remembering a far more somber anniversary — one that still casts a shadow over its historical ties with France.
On May 8, 1945, while Europe celebrated Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day), Algerians took to the streets in several cities, including Ain Temouchent, Guelma, Kherrata, and Setif. What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly turned deadly after French police opened fire on protesters.
The resulting violence spiraled into anti-French riots, killing more than 100 French citizens. France responded with a brutal crackdown — an air and ground offensive that killed thousands of Algerians. The Algerian government maintains that 45,000 were killed, while France’s official estimates stand at around 3,000.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described the 1945 violence as a foundational moment for Algeria’s independence struggle. “The commemoration of May 8 reflects the Algerians’ commitment to freedom and dignity, for which they took to the streets with bare hands to confront an enemy,” Tebboune declared, labeling French colonial rule as “genocidal” and “a crime against humanity.”
These remarks underscore long-standing Algerian demands for a formal apology from France — a demand that has yet to be fulfilled. While French President Emmanuel Macron and other French leaders have previously called for “truth and recognition,” they have consistently stopped short of issuing an official state apology.
More than 500,000 colonial troops, known as tirailleurs, from North Africa, West Africa, and Madagascar served in the French military during World War II. Many of these men believed that their service would earn them equal rights and recognition.
Instead, they returned home to continued oppression and systemic racism. This disillusionment helped ignite anti-colonial movements across the continent, including Kenya’s Mau Mau rebellion, during which tens of thousands were killed.
The May 8 massacres, often overlooked in European historical narratives, have become a rallying point in Algeria. Historians like Mohamed Ferrad argue that the events fundamentally altered the path of the nation. “They understood that the only possible and unique path to independence was armed struggle,” Ferrad said this week.
Midway through Europe’s V-E Day festivities, where current political leaders have turned their attention to the war in Ukraine and ideals like liberty and democracy, Algeria is conducting a different kind of remembrance. The Ministry of War Veterans is hosting commemorative events and academic panels across the country. These include personal testimonies from veterans and discussions led by historians focusing on Algeria’s battle for independence after 132 years under French rule.
Massacres Remain a Pain Point
The massacres remain a source of diplomatic strain between France and Algeria. The two countries agreed in 2022 to launch a joint historical inquiry, a “dossier de memoire,” intended to foster reconciliation. However, progress has stalled amid broader political tensions, particularly over immigration policies and France’s delicate balancing act between Algeria and its North African rival, Morocco.
The massacres continue to feature prominently in Algerian books, films, and political discourse. As calls for justice grow louder, Tebboune reaffirmed his government’s position: “Algeria will never allow the memory issue to be forgotten or used as a bargaining chip, out of loyalty to our martyrs.”
In a notable diplomatic gesture, a delegation of about 30 French lawmakers, primarily from left-leaning and centrist parties, arrived in Algiers on Wednesday to take part in the official commemorations. Their presence signals growing recognition within segments of French politics that the legacy of colonialism must be more openly addressed.
While Europe celebrates liberation from tyranny, Algeria continues to grapple with the legacy of colonial violence, seeking not only remembrance but restitution.
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