On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron formally recognised that Larbi Ben M’hidi, a central figure in Algeria’s independence movement, was killed by French soldiers following his arrest in 1957.
The announcement, marking the 70th anniversary of the revolt that ignited Algeria’s War of Independence, is part of Macron’s ongoing efforts to address France’s colonial legacy.
Ben M’hidi, a co-founder of the National Liberation Front (FLN), was pivotal in Algeria’s 1954 uprising against French rule. Official reports had long claimed he attempted suicide, but evidence points to his execution under the orders of General Paul Aussaresses.
Macron’s acknowledgement follows prior statements on France’s colonial “crimes against humanity” but stops short of a formal apology.
Since taking office in 2017, Macron has pursued a policy of historical transparency with Algeria, aiming to promote “a peaceful, shared memory” of the war and colonial period, which still resonates deeply in both countries.
However, Macron’s past comments questioning Algeria’s pre-colonial identity stirred tensions with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, highlighting the complexities of reconciliation between the two nations.
