Boualem Sansal Says He Has Lost Algerian Nationality, Now Solely French

Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal has announced that he has been stripped of his Algerian nationality and is now only a French citizen, according to remarks reported by Le Figaro.

Boualem Sansal made the revelation during a meeting with high school students, where he publicly stated that he no longer holds Algerian citizenship. The announcement quickly reignited debate around the author’s political positions and legal status, both in Algeria and abroad.

Sansal, long considered one of Algeria’s most controversial literary figures, has frequently drawn criticism for his outspoken views on Algerian politics, identity, and regional issues. His statements have often placed him at odds with Algerian authorities.

In November 2024, the writer’s situation escalated dramatically when he was arrested at Algiers airport. He was later placed in detention and prosecuted for “undermining national unity” following remarks he made in October 2024 to the far-right French media outlet Frontières, particularly on sensitive issues concerning Algeria and Morocco.

After weeks of legal proceedings, Sansal was sentenced to five years in prison. The verdict sparked strong reactions, especially in France, where intellectuals and political figures voiced concern over freedom of expression and judicial independence.

The case took a turn when President Abdelmadjid Tebboune granted Sansal a presidential pardon. The decision followed diplomatic efforts and came after a request by the German president, as officially announced by the Algerian Presidency.

Sansal Unable to Return to Algeria

Despite his release, Boualem Sansal had previously expressed his intention to return to Algeria to seek what he described as moral redress.

“When you suffer an injustice, you naturally seek redress,” he said last November on France Inter radio. “I don’t need money, or even a new trial. Just going there and coming back is compensation enough for me.”

However, the loss of his Algerian nationality now makes any return to his native country legally impossible. At 76 years old, Sansal finds himself definitively cut off from Algeria, marking a new and symbolic chapter in his long-running conflict with the Algerian state.

Boualem Sansal’s declaration underscores the deep rift between the writer and Algerian authorities. Stripped of his nationality and unable to return home, his case continues to fuel debate over citizenship, dissent, and freedom of expression in Algeria.