Nobel Prize Winners Demand Release of Boualem Sansal
Nobel Prize winners in literature, including Annie Ernaux, Jean-Marie Le Clézio, Orhan Pamuk, and Wole Soyinka, have united in a powerful call for the immediate release of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. In a column published on November 23, 2024, in the weekly Le Point, they emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the rights of writers. The statement, initiated by Kamel Daoud, the 2024 Prix Goncourt winner, asserts, "We cannot remain silent. It is a matter of freedom, the right to culture and our lives, as writers targeted by this terror."
Circumstances of Arrest
Boualem Sansal, 75, was arrested on November 16 at Algiers airport upon his return from France. The Algerian government confirmed the arrest through the state news agency APS, although it did not specify the circumstances surrounding it. Sansal is known for his outspoken criticism of religious fundamentalism and authoritarianism, raising concerns among political and literary circles regarding his safety and well-being. His publisher, Gallimard, expressed urgent concern and called for his release.
Diplomatic Tensions and Reactions
The situation has drawn attention from French officials, with President Emmanuel Macron's office expressing serious concern over Sansal's disappearance. French diplomatic sources indicated that state services are actively working to clarify his situation. The controversy surrounding Sansal's arrest may stem from his recent comments to the French media, which reportedly aligned with the Moroccan perspective on historical territorial disputes. The Algerian government has criticized France for defending Sansal, labeling him a "useful puppet" and accusing him of questioning Algeria's sovereignty. This incident occurs amidst heightened diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria, particularly following France's support for Morocco's autonomy plan in Western Sahara.
