Current relations between France and Algeria have sharply declined following France’s support for Morocco regarding Western Sahara. Tensions escalated after Algeria recalled its ambassador and halted a historians’ commission aimed at reconciling colonial legacies. Prominent writer Boualem Sansal’s arrest in Algeria further deepened the crisis, as he faced legal issues for his political statements. Influencers in Algeria have also incited violence against critics, while discussions around a historical immigration agreement and potential economic repercussions add to the ongoing strife.
Current Tensions Between France and Algeria
The once-promising reconciliation between France and Algeria has significantly deteriorated, marking one of the lowest points in their relations in recent history. The situation has escalated since Paris voiced support for Morocco in the ongoing dispute over Western Sahara, leading to increasing confrontational sentiments between the two nations.
In a letter directed to Moroccan King Mohammed VI, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed acknowledgment of Morocco’s claims to the contested territory last July. This action incited outrage in Algiers, prompting the Algerian government to recall its ambassador from France and suspend the activities of a bilateral historians’ commission. This commission was formed in 2022 following Macron’s visit to Algeria, aimed at addressing the complex and painful legacy of colonialism.
Escalating Hostility and Arrests
The situation took a darker turn when, in mid-November, the Algerian regime arrested prominent writer Boualem Sansal upon his return to Algiers. The 80-year-old Franco-Algerian author, who was awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade last year, had recently obtained French citizenship. Known for his outspoken critiques of political Islam and the ruling military junta in Algeria, Sansal likely anticipated the risks associated with his return.
Despite appeals from the French government for his release, Algeria remained steadfast. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune labeled Sansal a puppet of France, accusing him of spreading falsehoods. His controversial remarks in an interview with right-wing media, where he claimed that Algeria’s borders were established by France and included territories that once belonged to Morocco, led to his legal troubles. The Algerian judiciary interpreted these statements as a challenge to national sovereignty, putting Sansal, who is in frail health, at risk of a life sentence.
Adding to the tension, several Algerian influencers have incited violence against critics of the regime and even called for attacks in France. One influencer, known as Zazou Youcef, who boasts over 400,000 followers on TikTok, made alarming threats in his videos. Another influencer, Imad Tintin, urged followers to commit acts of extreme violence against individuals like Sansal. Authorities have arrested multiple influencers for promoting such hateful rhetoric, raising questions about potential government orchestration behind these campaigns of hostility.
Bruno Retailleau, the French interior minister, commented on the matter, highlighting Algeria’s attempts to humiliate France amid the escalating tensions. The harsh rhetoric from both sides has raised concerns, particularly as Macron, who initially expressed only mild concern for Sansal, later criticized Algeria’s actions in a speech to French ambassadors.
As discussions about the implications of the 1968 agreement between France and Algeria arise, the political climate remains tense. This agreement has historically facilitated immigration for Algerian citizens and their families, a remnant of the colonial past that France has relied on for labor. While the far-right factions in France have long sought to terminate this agreement, such efforts have yet to succeed due to opposition from governing parties. Meanwhile, Algeria has hinted at the possibility of restricting gas and oil exports to France, although economic ties have so far remained stable amid the political strife.