Treaty of Tafna
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The Treaty of Tafna was signed by both Emir Abdelkader and General Thomas Robert Bugeaud on 30 May 1837.
Context, terms and breakdown
[edit]This agreement was developed after a series of campaigns by French forces into the hinterlands of Algeria, the French under Bugeaud had won a victory against a mixed force of Abdelkader's regular and tribal warriors at the Sikkak river in the summer of 1836. Letters between the Emir and the general were exchanged in its aftermath.
The terms of the treaty in French entailed Emir Abdelkader recognizing French imperial sovereignty in Africa, in an arrangement similar to the Regency of Algiers except now with France and not the Ottoman Empire as overlord. In exchange France recognised approximately two thirds of Algeria to Abdelkader (the provinces of Oran, Koléa, Médéa, Tlemcen and Algiers) were ruled by Emir Abdelkader.[1]
As a result of the treaty, France maintained its holdings over major ports and while the treaty required all trade by Algeria to pass through these both French and Algerian traders flouted the terms. Bugeaud initially requested an annual tribute be paid however this was latter dropped in exchange for meaningless concessions[2]. The French used the peace with Abdelkader to concentrate forces to fight in the east of Algeria attempting to take Constantine in 1836 and then successfully 1837.
Abdelkader used the treaty to consolidate his power over tribes throughout the interior, establishing a capital at Tagdempt far from French control[2]. He worked to motivate the population under French control to resist by peaceful and military means. Seeking to face the French again, he laid claim under the treaty to the Iron gates - a valley that controlled the main route between Algiers and Constantine. When French troops contested the claim in late 1839 by marching through a mountain defile known as the Iron Gates, he claimed a breach of the treaty and renewed calls for jihad.
In addition to the public contents of the treaty Bugeaud and Abdelkader came to a number of private agreements in addition the the final treaties text. Bugeaud promised the emir modern weapons and to through French force of arms relocate the Dawa’ir and Zmala tribes and exile from Algeria of their chiefs for which Bugeaud received a cash payment which he utilised to support his political career in France using it to fund roadworks in his constituency[2].
Analysis of the treaty and its legacy
[edit]There is also controversy about the language Bugeaud inserted into the differing versions of the treaty, in French article one read that Abdelkader ‘recognised the sovereignty of France in Africa’. The Arabic text instead read that "the amir ‘is aware of the rule of French power" (ya‘rifu hukm saltanat firansa) in Africa’. James McDougall argues on the basis of Abdelkader's letters to Bugeaud negotiating the treaty that it cannot have been a translation error and the differing meaning of the texts constitutes duplicity on Bugeaud's part[2].
The peace represented a tactical pause in the fighting and by allowing Abdelkader to rebuild his forces after the defeat at the Sikkak river, by allowing this and also Abdelkader to consolidate his control of western Algeria - the French faced a more dangerous enemy latter[2]. However the treaty and his prior military victory did much to burnish the reputation of Bugeaud, who latter while Governor of Algeria would also benefit from the treaties breakdown gaining more plaudits for his military campaign against the Emir[2].
Naylor argues that the stipulations of the treaty indicated that the French interpreted the territory of Emir Abdelkader as sovereign, thereby recognising an Algerian state.[3]
See also
[edit]- French rule in Algeria
- French Conquest of Algeria
- Emir Abdelkader
- Emir Mustapha
- Thomas Robert Bugeaud
- List of treaties
References
[edit]- ^ An Account of Algeria, or the French Provinces in Africa, p. 116. The subsequent progress of the French army is well known: after meeting with many reverses, and sustaining with great bravery very severe losses, it obtained, by the treaty of Tafna, executed with Abdelkader on 30th May 1837, an acknowledgment on his part of the sovereignty of France in Africa, with a definition of the limits of its dominion in the provinces of Oran and Algiers.
- ^ a b c d e f McDougall, James (2017). A History of Algeria (1 ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 66–67. ISBN 9781139029230.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Naylor, Phillip C. Historical dictionary of Algeria. Scarecrow Press. 2006.
Sources
[edit]- An Account of Algeria, or the French Provinces in Africa. Journal of the Statistical Society of London, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 115 – 126 (March 1839).
External links
[edit]- Chronology: The July Monarchy (1830 - 1848)
- The Encyclopedia of World History (2001)
- Armed Conflict Events Database: Second Jihad of Abd al Qadir 1835 - 1837
| Pre-1830 conflicts | .png) | |
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| French conquest of Algeria: 1830-1836 |
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| French conquest of Algeria: 1837-1870 |
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| Allegiances | ||
| Mokrani Revolt | ||
| Algerian War | ||
| Treaties | ||
| Documents | ||
| Lists | ||
