As Paris Pushes Its Colonial-Era Mentality, Algiers Prepares for a Decisive Response

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

 

Algiers, Algeria | March 2nd, 2025 —  Algeria has unleashed a diplomatic thunderbolt against France, rejecting in unequivocal terms the veiled threats and arbitrary ultimatums issued by French Prime Minister François Bayrou. In a blistering statement issued by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, February 27, 2025, Algiers categorically dismissed Paris’ high-handed tactics, signaling a readiness to escalate its response should France persist in its provocations. The reverberations of this bold stance have thrown France’s political elite into a state of anxiety, as the specter of a full diplomatic rupture looms ever closer.

 

The strained relations between the two nations are now accelerating towards an impasse reminiscent of Algeria’s severance of ties with Morocco over three years ago. Unlike previous diplomatic tiffs, Algiers’ tone this time reflects zero tolerance for condescension, making it abundantly clear that any escalation from Paris will be met with a proportionate, if not more severe, countermeasure.

 

French Panic and a Humiliating Snub at Algiers Airport

 

The depth of France’s predicament was starkly illustrated by the humiliating reception given to Nicolas Lerner, the head of France’s external intelligence agency (DGSE), during his visit to Algiers in January 2025. The senior official, arriving with the expectation of high-level talks, was refused entry beyond the confines of Houari Boumediene Airport. In a moment of sheer embarrassment for Paris, he was forced to endure a mere twenty-minute stay on Algerian soil before boarding a return flight to France. According to French far-right politician Jean-Philippe Tanguy, who revealed the incident during a discussion on “Europe 1” radio, the ordeal left Lerner so incensed that he resorted to derogatory rhetoric, branding Algeria a “rogue state.” Such a petulant outburst only underscores France’s growing frustration at its waning influence in North Africa.

 

Desperate Manoeuvres and Calls for European Solidarity

 

Recognizing the dire consequences of a potential Algerian reprisal, French politicians are now scrambling to rally support from their European neighbors, particularly Italy and Spain. Tanguy, a member of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, is among those urging European capitals to align against Algeria. This desperate ploy, however, is unlikely to yield the intended results. If history has taught anything, it is that European alliances are dictated by economic interests rather than sentimental loyalties to a former colonial master. The recent gas disputes between Spain, Italy, and Algeria serve as a testament to this reality. When Spain attempted to mend its frayed ties with Algiers after siding with Morocco on Western Sahara, Italy seized the opportunity to strengthen its energy partnership with Algeria, leaving Madrid to bear the brunt of its miscalculation. Now, with the prospect of further hostilities between Algiers and Paris, European capitals are poised to weigh their interests pragmatically rather than blindly siding with France.

 

A Fractured Diplomatic Landscape: The Fallout of Paris’s Miscalculations

 

The absence of diplomatic channels between Algeria and France further compounds the crisis. Since the recall of Algerian Ambassador Said Moussi from Paris and his subsequent reassignment to Lisbon, Algeria has maintained an icy detachment from its former colonizer. Meanwhile, French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet in Algiers finds himself in an increasingly precarious position, as his host country imposes mounting restrictions on his diplomatic activities. The blame for this diplomatic freefall rests squarely with Paris, whose unilateral decisions and disregard for diplomatic norms have exacerbated tensions. Algeria’s latest statement made it clear: France has consistently instigated these confrontations and must bear full responsibility for the deterioration of bilateral ties.

 

The Looming Retaliation: Will Algiers Deliver the Final Blow?

 

As French politicians and media figures scramble to anticipate Algeria’s next move, one particular clause in Algiers’ statement has triggered palpable unease: the potential repercussions of France’s decision to annul the 1968 migration agreement. The agreement, which had granted Algerians preferential treatment in French immigration policies, now stands as a relic of an outdated post-colonial arrangement that Algeria may no longer feel obligated to honor. Algiers has hinted at responding with countermeasures that extend beyond migration, potentially targeting economic and energy agreements as well.

 

During a heated television debate in France, analysts speculated on whether Algeria might wield its energy resources as leverage against Paris. While French imports of Algerian gas stand at a modest 8%, the broader economic implications of severed ties could be devastating for French companies operating in Algeria. The shockwaves of Algeria’s nationalization of hydrocarbons in 1971 under President Houari Boumediene still haunt French policymakers, who fear another drastic shift that could sideline French interests in Algeria’s energy sector.

 

Colonial Ghosts and France’s Inability to Evolve

The underlying issue remains France’s chronic inability to recalibrate its relationship with Algeria on a foundation of mutual respect. Even after six decades of independence, segments of the French political elite continue to cling to a neocolonial mindset, expecting deference from Algiers. The deliberate provocations by French officials, including inflammatory remarks from Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, serve only to deepen the chasm between the two nations.

 

Algeria, on the other hand, has made it abundantly clear that it will no longer tolerate French meddling or condescension. Two distinct courses of action are reportedly under consideration in Algiers: an outright expulsion of the French ambassador and a complete severance of diplomatic ties—a move that would send shockwaves through France’s foreign policy establishment. The alternative approach, while less drastic, would involve targeted economic reprisals against French businesses and state-owned enterprises, particularly in the aviation and energy sectors. Air France and Transavia could find themselves facing severe operational constraints should France continue its hostile rhetoric towards Air Algérie.

 

 

 

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