Algerian Writer Boualem Sansal Sentenced Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Boualem Sansal's conviction highlights rising diplomatic frictions between Algeria and France, as the author, a vocal critic of Algerian policies, draws international attention and concern over his health and welfare in custody.

Boualem Sansal, an esteemed 80-year-old French-Algerian writer, has been sentenced to five years in prison by an Algerian court for undermining the nation’s territorial integrity. His arrest last November followed controversial claims made in an interview with a far-right French media outlet, wherein he suggested that colonial France had allocated disproportionate land to Algeria while neglecting Morocco. Furthermore, he controversially stated that the disputed territory of Western Sahara was historically part of Morocco.

During his incarceration, Sansal's health has reportedly deteriorated, leading to hospital visits, raising concerns from various intellectuals and political figures, including Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron has expressed that Sansal's arbitrary detention, coupled with health issues, must be resolved to rebuild confidence between France and Algeria.

Sansal’s supporters argue that he is being used as a pawn amid escalating tensions between the two countries. Algeria, which gained independence from France in 1962 after a prolonged and brutal war, has had a historically tumultuous relationship with France—particularly following France's backing of Morocco's claims to Western Sahara last year, further straining the dynamics. This diplomatic rift has prompted Algeria to withdraw its ambassador to Paris and sever ties with Morocco altogether.

In light of the recent ruling, Sansal's lawyer has made an appeal to Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to treat him with compassion, invoking his age and health concerns. Notably, Sansal is recognized for his outspoken criticism against Islamist ideologies and the Algerian government, with support from various far-right leaders who view him as a symbol of liberty.

Despite the backlash from critics who label him as a source of far-right sentiments, Sansal continues to remain a prominent literary figure. His well-known works, such as "2084," a satirical take on radicalism, have garnered acclaim. His upcoming novel, "Vivre," set to be released in May, depicts a narrative about a group selected to colonize a new planet as humanity teeters on the brink of apocalypse.