Algeria says 5.6 million people died under French colonialism
Algeria says 5.6 million people died under French colonialism
One historian believes the total death toll from the French occupation of Algeria could have reached up to 10 million.
2 min read
Hundreds of thousands of people were killed during Algeria's war for independence from French rule [Getty]
Ìýsaid on Saturday that millions of Algerians were killed duringÌýtheÌýFrench colonial periodÌýÌý±ð°ù³Ü±è³Ù±ð»å.
The presidency said Ìýthat over 5.6 million Algerians were killed during the French occupation of Algeria between 1830 and 1962, when the country gained .
It comes after French President Emmanuel claimed Algeria's "official history" was "not based on truth" but "on a discourse ofÌýhatred towards ", according to reports, leading to an angry rebuke from Algiers.
"Macron's statements carried an unacceptable insult to the memory ofÌý5,630,000 martyrs... Algeria expresses its categorical rejection of unacceptable interference in its internal affairs,"Ìýthe Algerian Presidency's statement read.
The figure announced includes 1.5 million killed during Algeria's fight for independenceÌýbetween 1954 and 1962,Ìýalong withÌývictims who died from mine remnantsÌýand radiation following French nuclear tests in the Algerian desert, reportedÌý°®Âþµº's sister publicationÌýAl-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Historian Mohammed Al-AminÌýtold Al-Araby Al-JadeedÌýthat as many asÌý10 million Algerians - "martyrs" according to Algerian authorities -Ìý could have been killedÌýduring the 132Ìýyears of French occupation.
French historians say that 400,000 people died from both sides during the war, while Algerian scholars believe around .
Authorities officially recognise a "martyr"Ìýas anyÌýindividualÌýwho died during the Algerian War of IndependenceÌýand the governmentÌýgives monthly grants to their familiesÌýalongsideÌýmaterial and legal privileges.
"No one or anything can forgive the colonial forces and their crimes," the presidential statement read.
The dispute follows France's decision last week to cut the number of visas open to Algerians, Moroccans and Tunisians - all at one time occupied by France.
On Wednesday, the Algerian foreign ministry summoned the French ambassador over the visas issue.
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