Diplomacy, business, break-dancing: Macron visits Algeria

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hailed “a very successful visit" and credited Macron’s personal efforts toward rapprochement.

The leaders of France and Algeria took an important step on August 27 toward mending relations scarred by disputes over migration and the legacy of colonial crimes, agreeing to cooperate on energy, security and reassessing their joint history.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up a three-day visit to Algeria with a raft of accords that France hopes will smooth ties with Africa’s largest country, a major gas and oil supplier to Europe and an influential regional military player.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hailed “a very successful visit" and credited Mr. Macron’s personal efforts toward rapprochement. The two were chummy at their final meeting Saturday, smiling, embracing and holding hands. Mr. Tebboune specifically praised their meetings on security, without elaborating.

But the joint accords released by Mr. Macron’s office were thin on specifics, and stop far short of an official apology for France's colonial-era wrongdoing, which Algerians have long clamored for.

They included agreements on gas and hydrogen research, medical research, sports cooperation and a joint commission to examine archives from the 130 years when Algeria was the crown jewel in France's empire and from Algeria's eight-year independence war.

“We had moving moments these last few days that allowed us to build the foundation of what is to come,” Mr. Macron said. He acknowledged, however, “A lot remains to be done.”

Earlier Saturday, Mr. Macron watched a performance by would-be Olympic break-dancers and visited an Algerian record store celebrated by a famous DJ, a feel-good interlude during a trip dominated by diplomacy.