The Pan-African Parliament has taken note, with deep regret, of the statement issued by the European Parliament calling on the Algerian authorities to release certain prisoners, including Mr. Boualem Sansal—a dual Algerian and French national.
The Pan-African Parliament strongly condemns this statement by the European Parliament, viewing it as unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign Algerian State and a violation of international conventions that enshrine the principles of state sovereignty and non-interference. The Pan-African Parliament recalls that Algeria, like other African countries, is an independent, sovereign nation with its own institutions, legal system, and judiciary, all of which must be respected. Algeria, for its part, has consistently upheld the sovereignty and laws of other nations, whether in Europe or elsewhere.
In this regard, the Pan-African Parliament expresses its full solidarity with the government and people of Algeria. It calls on the European Parliament to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of African states and to respect the work of their institutions, particularly the judiciary.
Finally, the Pan-African Parliament deeply regrets that the European Parliament has rushed to issue statements without consulting its African counterpart, contrary to the agreement reached in December 2022 by the two institutions. That agreement underscored the importance of consultation and information-sharing before issuing any statement concerning a country from either continent.
Midrand, 26 January 2025
H.E. Chief Charumbira
President of the Pan-African Parliament
