In a rare and unprecedented scene on French television, historian Benjamin Stora, a specialist in Algerian history, erupted in anger against the public channel France 2. He unleashed a torrent of sharp criticism against what he described as "frivolous coverage" of the sensitive memory issues between France and Algeria. Stora's outburst came after he discovered that his lengthy interview with the program "Complément d'enquête" last month—filmed at the painfully symbolic "Museum of Man," where the skulls of Algerian resistance fighters are kept—was only used as a backdrop for a controversial report about a social media influencer.
"A Tree Hiding the Forest of Colonialism"
In subsequent media statements to France Info and others, Stora did not hide his bitterness over what happened, considering it a "serious breach of journalistic ethics." He explained that the program had contacted him to discuss the deep historical wounds between the two countries: the War of Liberation, French nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara, the effects of colonialism on current generations, and the paths to reconciliation. However, he was surprised to find that hours of serious discussion were reduced to a few seconds, as if it were "a tree hiding the forest of colonialism," a reference to blowing a marginal issue out of proportion at the expense of critical matters.
In a sharp tone, Stora threatened to withdraw from any future discussion that attempts to confine him to this framework, stating: "They called me to talk about history and memory, not about an influencer... I did not come here to talk about the lives of influencers."
Conditions for Reconciliation: Recognition, Not Denial
Amidst these media debates, the prominent French historian reaffirmed his vision for the future of Algerian-French relations, which he described as "going through the most serious crisis since independence." Stora emphasized that true reconciliation between the two countries cannot be achieved through beautifying history or preoccupying oneself with superficial topics, but requires "historical courage and honest confrontation."
He explained that the path to rapprochement inevitably requires:
Acknowledgment of Colonial Crimes: Addressing memory files objectively and seriously.
Implementation of His Report's Recommendations: The report submitted to President Macron in January 2021, which includes repatriating the skulls kept in French museums, returning important Algerian artifacts such as Emir Abdelkader's sword and the Baba Merzoug cannon, and accelerating the process of identifying Algerian resistance fighters.
Stopping "Campaigns of Frenzy": Calling on the French media to elevate the level of discourse and stop engaging in systematic campaigns targeting Algeria through their platforms, because this "wastes the opportunity to confront the past seriously."
A Message to Macron and the Media
Stora's statements, coming five years after he submitted his largely unimplemented recommendations, serve as a new wake-up call for the French presidency and the media. The historian, who has dedicated his academic life to studying the profound consequences of colonialism, warns that diplomatic stagnation and the accumulation of memory and political crises could irreversibly rupture the already fragile relationship between the two countries.
Stora's message is clear: either acknowledge history in all its manifestations, or remain trapped in a spiral of crises. As for indulging in the trivialities of influencers, it is merely an escape from confronting the truth.