Algeria demands French acknowledgment of “nuclear crimes”
In a move that is reigniting old colonial tensions, Algeria is demanding that France finally acknowledge its “nuclear crimes”. These crimes refer to a series of nuclear tests that France conducted in Algeria in the 1960s.
The calls for an official acknowledgement by France came on February 13. This date is significant as it marks the date of France’s first nuclear tests in the region.
As reported by Anadolu Agency, Ibrahim Boughali, who is the speaker of Algeria’s lower parliament house, spoke on the matter. Regarding the testing, Boughali demanded that France should take “full responsibility” for their actions. He insisted that this should be followed by a “clear moral commitment” by France to resolve its wrongdoings.
The feud over the tests is one of many between France and Algeria, which diplomatically have never been on good terms. Algeria fought a bloody war of independence against France during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The war that lasted several years and cost over a million Algerian lives before Algeria gained its independence in 1962.
In any case, while Algeria lobbies France over its past actions, their physical effects are still being felt.
According to an article by the Sri Lanka Guardian, “radioactive material continues to seep from the Sahara desert mountains”. This material has reportedly devastated the local area, “contaminating the soil” as well harming local populations in the area.
Anadolu, Sri Lanka Guardian
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