Boualem Sansal Elected to Académie française After Imprisonment in Algeria

Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was elected to the Académie française on January 29, 2026, marking a significant cultural milestone just months after his release from prison in Algeria. At 81 years old, Sansal secured a decisive victory in a closed session with 25 votes in favor and one blank, succeeding historian Jean-Denis Bredin in chair number 3.

Sansal's election followed a tumultuous period in his life. He was imprisoned in Algeria in late 2024 after being sentenced to five years in prison for "attacking national unity," linked to controversial statements about Algeria and Morocco. His incarceration sparked a public campaign in France advocating for his release. Eventually, he was granted clemency by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and freed on November 12, 2023.

Just weeks after his release, Sansal received the Cino del Duca prize—an accolade recognizing his commitment to free speech. He expressed his joy at experiencing freedom again, poignantly noting, "I am a bit euphoric because I taste freedom, the small things. You cannot imagine how the small things are great pleasures."

The election to the Académie française, an esteemed institution of 35 members known as the "immortels," honors Sansal's literary achievements, which include around thirty novels, essays, and short story collections since 1999. His candidacy was announced shortly before the January vote after an unsuccessful ballot in December 2023.

Political figures across the spectrum praised Sansal's courage and literary talent following the election. Bruno Retailleau remarked that Sansal would bring "talent and warmth" to the Académie, while Cannes Mayor David Lisnard hailed him as a stalwart defender of freedom. Marine Le Pen emphasized the election as a recognition of his commitment to truth, and Valérie Pécresse commended his bravery in facing oppression. Nicolas Dupont-Aignan congratulated Sansal on joining the prestigious body committed to promoting the French language.

Boualem Sansal’s election not only underscores his resilience amid political adversity but also symbolizes a victory for freedom of expression and the enduring power of literature in Franco-Algerian relations.