concerns after the disappearance of the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal

Anxiety begins to spread to those around Boualem Sansal. The Franco-Algerian writer, aged 75, has not given any news since last Saturday when he was supposed to go to Algiers that day. Very critical of the Algerian power in his writings, he could have been arrested.

In any case, this is what his loved ones fear. “I had dinner with him Friday evening. Since then, he has been unreachable on his cell phone, on his WhatsApp, on his landline. He has not turned his phone back on,” one of them reported to Europe 1. Boualem Sansal is used to shuttling between Algeria and France, the country of which he recently obtained nationality. According to this relative interviewed by Europe 1, his entourage had tried to dissuade him from setting foot on Algerian soil again. “He told him that he had never been worried and only took the plane for a quick return trip since he lives there,” we add. For the moment, no official confirmation has been made.

Frosty relations between France and Algeria

According to him, this possible arrest would result directly from Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Rabat (Morocco), which was very little appreciated in Algiers. Particularly because of the position expressed by Paris on the subject of Western Sahara. The French president had reaffirmed Moroccan sovereignty over this territory also claimed by the separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algiers.

Boualem Sansal's relative also mentions to Europe 1 “the Goncourt prize awarded to Kamal Daoud”. His novel Hourisfor which he was rewarded, is in fact banned in Algeria and the writer had been excluded from the Algiers Book Fair. The story tells, among other things, events that occurred during the civil war in Algeria between 1992 and 2002. Which Algerian law firmly prohibits.

So many factors which have contributed to refreshing relations between France and Algeria in recent months. The two countries also disagree greatly on the issue of consular passes. Paris accuses Algiers of delivering them in dribs and drabs, thus hindering expulsion procedures to Algeria.