Heavy Gunfire Reported at Burkina Faso Military Base
TimeNov 23, 2021
The Facts
French Pres. Emmanuel Macron began a three-day visit to Algeria on Thurs. in a bid to improve strained economic and diplomatic relations with the former French colony amid Europe's looming energy crisis.
Accompanied by a 90-member delegation that is said to include seven ministers and corporate leaders such as Catherine MacGregor, CEO of French energy company Engie, Macron reportedly plans to focus on "rebuilding" bilateral relations.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Algeria and France should make every effort to overcome the shadows of the past. After all, Algeria benefits from the recent price increase of fossil fuel and gas exports to France. In turn, any additional gas for France also benefits Europe. If Algiers expands its production capacities, nothing stands in the way of a mutually beneficial energy partnership.
Establishment-critical narrative
Macron's trip to Algeria is spurred by France's fear of increasingly losing economic and political ground in Africa. The Elysée's new strategy is purportedly to open a new post-colonial and post-imperial chapter, yet it continues to hold on to old structures and mindsets. France and its Western partners will nevertheless inevitably fail with their cynical and desperate policies.
Narrative C
Algeria is in an interesting strategic and geopolitical position, and it is increasingly acting like an economically and politically sovereign country. Algiers has even recently shown interest in becoming a BRICS member, proving that the country has long since realized that the future lies in fostering and profiting from a multipolar world order.