Faith Nyasuguta
France has announced its intention to expel 12 Algerian diplomatic and consular staff members and to recall its ambassador from Algiers, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations. This decision follows Algeria’s expulsion of 12 French diplomats, a move that has deepened a crisis threatening to unravel months of attempted reconciliation between the two countries.
The diplomatic rift centers on the arrest of an Algerian consular official in France, who, along with two other Algerian nationals, has been indicted by French prosecutors over the alleged kidnapping of a prominent government critic in Paris last year.
The activist, Amir Boukhors, better known to his more than one million TikTok followers as “Amir DZ”, was granted asylum in France in 2023. He was abducted in a Paris suburb in April last year and released the next day. French authorities have charged the three suspects with “kidnapping or arbitrary detention in connection with a terrorist undertaking”.
Algeria condemned the arrest of its consular official, accusing France of violating diplomatic conventions. In response, Algeria ordered the expulsion of 12 French diplomats, a move France described as unjustified and provocative. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot criticized Algeria’s actions, stating that they represent a “brutal deterioration” of bilateral relations. He emphasized France’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting individuals granted asylum.
This diplomatic crisis unfolds against a backdrop of longstanding tensions between France and Algeria, rooted in their colonial history and recent policy disagreements. In 2024, France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara angered Algeria, which backs the Polisario Front’s quest for independence in the region. Additionally, the arrest and sentencing of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria further strained relations.
Despite recent attempts at reconciliation, including a meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the current dispute threatens to derail progress. The planned expulsion of diplomats and the recall of ambassadors signify a deepening rift that could impact cooperation on various fronts, including security, trade, and migration.
The planned expulsion of diplomats and the recall of ambassadors mark the lowest point in France-Algeria relations in years. The fallout threatens to derail cooperation on key issues such as security, trade, and migration. With trust eroding rapidly, it remains unclear how or when diplomatic ties between the two countries will recover.
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