Algeria to host international conference on colonialism and reparations

Algeria will host an international conference on November 30 and December 1, 2025, dedicated to addressing the crimes of colonialism across Africa.

The announcement was made via the Algerian Embassy in Brazil, as reported by Caliber.Az.

The event follows a February decision by the African Union Assembly, which approved Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s proposal to organise a conference under the theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”

The initiative reflects Algeria’s historical experience and enduring commitment to defending the dignity, memory, and rights of African peoples. Under President Tebboune’s leadership, the country is actively working to strengthen collective efforts to classify colonialism, slavery, racial segregation, and apartheid as crimes against humanity.

The conference will bring together ministers, lawyers, historians, scholars, and experts from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond to develop a unified approach to historical justice, reparations, heritage restitution, and the preservation of collective memory.

Algeria’s own history underscores the importance of the discussions. The country endured over a century of French colonial rule from 1830 to 1962. During this time, France seized fertile lands, exploited natural resources, and marginalised the indigenous population, while settling thousands of Europeans known as pied-noirs.

French authorities also attempted to impose their language, culture, and legal system, weakening traditional Algerian institutions and religious practices. Resistance was continuous, with uprisings in 1832, 1871, and 1945, often met with brutal repression.

The struggle ultimately culminated in the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962), led by the National Liberation Front (FLN), which combined guerrilla warfare with mass mobilisation for freedom. After years of intense conflict, Algeria finally achieved independence on July 5, 1962, ending 132 years of colonial domination and marking the start of nation-building.

By Tamilla Hasanova