Boualem Sansal, a renowned 75-year-old Franco-Algerian author and intellectual, has been reported missing since his arrival in Algiers from Paris on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Attempts to reach him via WhatsApp, SMS, email, and phone have all failed, and none of his close contacts have any information about his whereabouts.
The French Ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romanet, has been informed of the situation, and diplomatic intervention may be considered.
Reports indicate that Boualem Sansal was taken by Algeria’s DGSI (General Directorate of Internal Security), led by General Abdelkader Haddad, also known as Nasser Eldjen. He was reportedly interrogated by the DGSI, but no details have been released about his place of detention or the reasons for his arrest.
It is widely believed that his detention is linked to his recent statements about the Sahara issue and his criticism of Algeria’s position on the matter.