Algeria's Law Criminalizing Colonialism

Algeria's Law Criminalizing Colonialism

: A "Strong Signal" and a Step Toward Classifying Colonial Crimes as Crimes Against Humanity, Experts Say. At the end of December 2025, Algeria passed a law criminalizing French colonialism from 1830 to 1962. Unanimously adopted by the National People's Assembly, the law lists specific crimes such as nuclear testing, extrajudicial killings, torture, and resource plunder. "The Algerian parliament is creating a framework that will shake France's long-stuck stance on the colonialism debate—even if only a little," quipped Momar Thiam, former Senegalese Consul General in Bordeaux. The law consists of 27 articles in five chapters that declare French colonialism a state crime and demand official apologies as well as full reparations for material and non-material damages. ``` It introduces penalties for glorifying or promoting colonialism and reaffirms Algeria's right to reparations. Thiam believes the law "could inspire other African countries that also suffered the consequences of colonization—which Algerians consider a state crime." The law is a "strong political signal calling on African states to think together about how they can transform the colonial legacy into a lever for sovereignty, dignity, and a balanced international dialogue—without naivety, but also without capitulation," said Famara Sané. This move could strain diplomatic relations with France, trigger reparations talks, and encourage similar actions in other formerly colonized African states such as Namibia and Kenya. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune emphasizes moral recognition over material reparations. Both analysts expect a negative reaction from the former colonial powers: The law will provoke “reactions of rejection or tension,” says Famara Sané, and Africa must prepare for “a very tough and very long diplomatic marathon,” adds Momar Thiam.