Algeria Denounces France’s Restrictive Travel Measures as a Hostile Act

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | February 26th, 2025 — Algeria has strongly condemned the recent restrictive travel measures imposed by the French government on Algerian nationals, calling them a blatant breach of bilateral agreements and a continuation of provocations aimed at undermining Algerian sovereignty.

 

In a scathing statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Community Abroad, and African Affairs expressed Algeria’s profound surprise and indignation regarding these unilateral measures, which specifically target holders of special travel documents exempting them from visa formalities.

“The French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs has announced restrictive measures on the movement and access to French territory for Algerian nationals holding special travel documents that exempt them from visa requirements,” the statement read.

Algeria firmly denounced the decision, emphasizing that it had not been notified in advance, as stipulated by Article 8 of the Algeria-France visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and service passport holders. The ministry underscored that Algerian authorities had no prior knowledge of such restrictions, except for two isolated cases in recent weeks.

“The first case, upon Algeria’s request for clarification, was met with expressions of regret from the French authorities and was described as an unfortunate incident resulting from a breakdown in the chain of command. The second, which occurred very recently, is currently under investigation following a formal request for explanation addressed to the French authorities,” the statement continued.

However, Algeria categorically rejected any justification for the latest announcement, viewing it as part of a deliberate and systematic campaign of intimidation. The ministry warned that any action infringing on Algerian interests would be met with “strict and immediate reciprocal measures.”

“The announcement of these measures, of which the Algerian state was not informed, falls into the long series of provocations, intimidations, and threats directed against Algeria. These acts have no effect on our nation, and we will not yield to such pressures. Any attempt to undermine Algeria’s interests will be met with immediate and uncompromising countermeasures.”

Furthermore, the statement accused elements within the French political landscape, particularly the far right, of exploiting Algeria as a pawn in their internal power struggles.

“Algeria has clearly become the subject of intra-French political rivalries, where all forms of political maneuvering, including the lowest and most dishonest, are being deployed. The far right, as the instigator, reference, and driving force behind these measures, has drawn not only various French political factions but also members of the French government into its dangerous agenda. This trajectory could have severe and unforeseeable consequences for Algerian-French relations in all their dimensions,” the statement concluded.