• Algeria's parliament unanimously passes a law declaring French colonisation a crime.
• The legislation demands an apology and reparations from France for colonial atrocities.
• This move signifies a broader rupture in Algerian-French diplomatic relations.

Algeria's parliament has unanimously approved a law declaring France's colonisation of the country a crime, demanding both an apology and reparations. The vote took place during a session where lawmakers, draped in scarves displaying the national colors, chanted "long live Algeria" in enthusiastic support. The law identifies France's "legal responsibility" for its historical actions, labelling various acts during the colonial rule—from 1830 to 1962—as "crimes," which includes nuclear tests and other atrocities associated with that period, according to SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

Alongside its ritual of national pride, the passage of this bill has sparked discussion regarding the shades of Algerian-French relations currently strained. Lawmakers assert that "full and fair compensation for all material and moral damages caused by French colonisation is an inalienable right of the Algerian state and people," highlighting the enduring impact of the colonial legacy on Algeria’s national identity. While analysts argue the legal depth of the law is limited, its political ramifications, emphasizing collective memory and historical accountability, are profound, according to SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

France's President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged the colonisation of Algeria as a "crime against humanity." However, he has not offered a formal apology, which further complicates the diplomatic landscape between the two nations. The French government has refrained from engaging deeply with Algeria’s parliamentary vote, indicating its preference to avoid commentary on political matters in foreign jurisdictions. The current diplomatic environment has plummeted, with recent events—including Algeria's support for self-determination in Western Sahara—shaping an increasingly fractious relationship, as noted by SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.