Abdelmadjid Tebboune Between Submission and Humiliation
As soon as Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the controversial Algerian president, completed his diplomatic rapprochement attempt through a carefully orchestrated interview with his loyal media, he received two harsh responses to his conciliatory statements. In this interview, he sought to express a more accommodating stance towards France, acknowledging the deep Franco-Moroccan ties that Paris has never attempted to hide. However, instead of achieving the expected appeasement, he was met with two resounding slaps.
The first slap came on Tuesday, March 25, through a massive gathering in support of the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who has been arbitrarily detained in Algeria for over four months. His detention was not merely a punishment for his free opinions but also a pressure tactic by the Algerian regime against France in retaliation for its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara. Though the gathering was more qualitative than quantitative, it brought together influential figures from the French political and media landscape—except for La France Insoumise (LFI), which once again demonstrated its alignment with the Algerian dictatorship. From the right to the center, and even parts of the socialist left, all participants strongly denounced the blackmail orchestrated by Tebboune and his circle.
The second slap came on the same day when the French judiciary issued a final ruling ordering the expulsion of one of the most notorious regime propagandists. This was Boualem Naman, also known as “Doualemn,” a media operative who spent his time spewing venom against France and Morocco through hateful livestreams and posts on social media.
Naman had already been expelled from France once, but Algerian authorities refused to accept him back, citing “procedural irregularities.” However, the French courts have now definitively rejected his request to suspend the deportation order, paving the way for his final expulsion—one that Algeria can no longer contest. This decision could set a precedent for the removal of other similar figures who, while clinging to their residence in France, continue to denounce and vilify the country that hosts them.
Ironically, Tebboune, who in his interview showed touching and almost paternal concern for Algerian lambs threatened with slaughter ahead of Eid al-Adha, may now have to extend the same sympathy to his scabby sheep, returning in droves from every corner of France… and beyond.
