Algeria begins second phase of cleanup at former French nuclear test site

Second cleanup operation at the test site

Algeria on Sunday began a second operation to remove radioactive waste from the former site of French nuclear tests in the Sahara, the country's Ministry of Defense announced; Anadolu reports this. The work is taking place at the 'Beryl E2' tunnel section in the In Ekker area of the southern province of Tamanrasset. Algerian teams are operating under the supervision of the defense ministry in coordination with the national agency for the rehabilitation of former French nuclear test sites.

What the cleanup involves and the claims against Paris

The work involves identifying radioactive areas, collecting nuclear waste and storing it in specially designed concrete containers; the ministry said the operations would comply with national and international safety standards. At the same time, Algeria accused France of evading responsibility and refusing to provide records and maps showing where the nuclear waste is buried. According to the ministry, the remaining contamination continues to hinder the development of In Ekker and Reggane in the southwestern province of Adrar.

Historical context

The first partial cleanup operation began on February 14 at the Tawrir Tan Affella site in the In Ekker area, Algeria's state news agency APS reports. France conducted its first nuclear test, 'Gerboise Bleue' ('Blue Jerboa'), near Reggane on February 13, 1960, when Algeria was under French colonial rule. In total, 17 tests were carried out in the Algerian Sahara between 1960 and 1966, with the program continuing for four years after Algeria gained independence in 1962. Algeria has long sought access to documents and maps of the tests and waste burial sites in order to identify contaminated areas and address their consequences; the colonial-era legacy remains a source of disputes between the two countries.