The French Colonial Expansion and Battles in the Algerian Sahara, the Case of Zousfana, Bechar, and Saoura Regions, (1889-1903)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to trace the process through which the French could occupy the south-western Saharan territories in Algeria namely Zousfana, Bechar, and the Ksours of the Saoura. It gives details of the battles that the autochthons fought against the French troops to preserve their independence. Such objectives could be attained through a historical research methodology by the study of documents written by French officers and campaigners. The occupation of the aforementioned Saharan territories was strategic for the realisation of France’s project of occupying North Africa and the construction of the trans-Saharan railways that would bring together its West African colonies. This step had the effect of isolating Morocco and weakening its economy by stopping the trans-Saharan trade. However, the resistance of the autochthons and the hard-climatic conditions made it difficult for the French army to dominate and maintain a strong presence in the Sahara. All along its occupation, the French presence remained military that is why it could never rally the Saharan populations nor assimilate them.