Restore historical truth. Crucial subject between Paris and Algiers. Emmanuel Macron has just recognized the responsibility of the French army in the death of a leader of the FLN, the Algerian National Liberation Front. Larbi Ben M'hidi hanged in 1957. His death was then disguised as suicide. He is a national hero in Algeria. He is one of those behind the insurrection that started the Algerian War, 70 years ago to the day.
“He is a very famous character in Algeria”
Larbi Ben M'hidi presented in his country as the Algerian Jean Moulin who remained mute under torture. One of the great architects and leaders of the FLN. It was the historian Benjamin Stora who suggested recognizing his assassination by the French army in his report submitted to Emmanuel Macron in January 2021. “He is a very famous character in Algeria. Streets, major avenues, boulevards bear his name throughout the country. He was also someone very courageous in the face of death and these are qualities that all Algerians know him, particularly through the filmed images of him at the time of his arrest where he presented himself in front of the cameras as a determined and smiling man.explains the historian.
The leader of the FLN was assassinated in 1957 by General Paul Aussaresses, who confessed to it in the early 2000s, denying the official version which had disguised his death as a suicide attempt. Larbi Ben M'hidi had been hanged with a heating pipe hanging from the ceiling.
“Assassinated by French soldiers”
This Friday the President of the Republic “recognizes that Larbi Ben M'hidi, national hero for Algeria and one of the six leaders of the FLN who launched the insurrection of November 1, 1954, was assassinated by French soldiers placed under the command of General Aussaresses”. “The recognition of this assassination attests that the work of historical truth, which the President of the Republic initiated with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune will continue”underlines the press release from the Elysée, specifying that Emmanuel Macron's goal is “to achieve the creation of a peaceful and shared memory”.
“It is also by thinking of future generations that the Head of State makes it his duty, again and again, to seek ways of reconciling memories between the two countries”underlines the Elysée. Born in 1923 near Aïn M'lila, in the Aurès (north-east), Larbi Ben M'hidi was responsible for the “Autonomous zone of Algiers since 1956”pendant “the battle of Algiers”, recalls the press release. “As the President of the Republic has already recognized for Maurice Audin and Ali Boumendjel, this repression was accompanied by the establishment of a system outside the society of Human and Citizen Rights, made possible by the vote for 'special powers' in Parliament”specifies the Elysée.
Frosty relations with Algeria
Paris which continues to rely on memorial rapprochement to try to thaw its relationship with Algiers. This announcement comes at a time when relations with Algeria are frosty. Last July Emmanuel Macron chose his side between Morocco and Algeria on the Western Sahara issue. He changes his position and lines up behind Rabat. Immediate anger from Algiers which recalls its ambassador to France. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Paris planned for the fall is canceled.
To make matters worse, this week Morocco and France staged their great reconciliation during a sumptuous three-day state visit. Today we must see the recognition of the assassination of Larbi Ben M'hidi as a gesture to try to reconnect with Algiers. This recognition had been decided a long time ago and independently of the state visit to Morocco, the President's entourage assures us. In the meantime, even memorial work between the two countries is suspended. The Franco-Algerian commission of historians had a meeting in July. The Algerians did not come.
