Since Paris recognized the autonomy plan for Western Sahara last July, relations between France and Algeria have deteriorated, followed by a series of serious tensions that culminated in the expulsion of Algerian “diplomats” from French territory.
About two weeks ago, in what is considered the most provocative move since the deterioration of relations between the two countries, Paris imposed restrictions on the movement and entry into French territory for several Algerian figures, including the former director of the Algerian presidential office, Abdelaziz Khellaf, and the wife of the Algerian ambassador to Mali.
This follows a series of statements made by senior French officials, led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, on November 26, threatening to nullify the 1968 agreement if Algeria did not comply with French dictates regarding the deportation of illegal Algerian immigrants.
Algerian Diplomacy Changes Course
In response to these provocations, the Algerian Foreign Ministry issued a statement announcing that Algeria would respond in kind, firmly, and immediately to any restrictions Paris might impose on movement, without ruling out resorting to other measures.
As a preliminary step, Algeria signed a visa waiver agreement with Slovenia, a Schengen country. This agreement, which was formalized on March 9 by a presidential decree signed by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, provides a new opportunity for holders of diplomatic passports and official missions to travel easily to the European region without having to go through administrative restrictions.
In addition, Algerian authorities have suspended consular cooperation with three French prefectures: Nice, Montpellier, and Marseille. This has effectively halted cooperation with French authorities, frozen consular access for Algerian prisoners and detainees, and prohibited the issuance of any consular permits to irregular migrants France is preparing to deport until further notice, according to Europe 1.
Algeria also threatened to expand this consular suspension to include the remaining 18 consulates.
In addition, Algerian authorities refused entry to two more Algerian citizens expelled by France on Friday, March 7, and again on Monday, March 10. This brings the total number of deportees returned by Algeria since the beginning of the year to 23, according to the newspaper “Le Figaro.”
France Expands Measures to Include Reducing the Number of Visas
After issuing a decision affecting the movement of Algerian diplomats, the French government has introduced another measure, this time involving Algerian citizens. The French government has decided to reduce the number of visas it will issue to Algerians this year by 28% compared to last year, according to information from the newspaper “Le Point.”
This decision confirms that French officials have no intention of backing down or appeasement.
Algerian Doctors’ Strike in France and its Relationship to the Crisis Between the Two Countries
It appears that the diplomatic tension between the two countries will also affect the Algerian community in France, particularly doctors who recently went on a hunger strike accompanied by a protest in front of the French Ministry of Health headquarters, demanding fairness regarding the hiring process. These doctors receive short-term, renewable contracts and lower wages compared to their French colleagues.
The number of these doctors is currently estimated at between 4,000 and 5,000, according to several unions, and their numbers have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, the French president promised to resolve the situation of these doctors, but the current state of relations between the two countries has led him to reconsider this issue.
A new crisis is expected to hit the French health sector, leading to its collapse, especially as the country suffers from a severe shortage of medical personnel.
Paris Turns to Security Provocation
Amid the crisis between France and Algeria, the announcement of military maneuvers scheduled for September 6 between Paris and Rabat in the Errachidia region near the Algerian border has exacerbated tensions between the two countries to an unprecedented degree.
Following this news, the French ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romanet, was summoned again to the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 6, where the ministry protested this provocative move, considering it deeply troubling and raising the level of tension to an unprecedented level of danger.
Exchange of accusations between the two countries at the intelligence level
The French government recently accused Algerian intelligence of spying and attempting to hide behind the guise of diplomatic missions to obtain information from entities operating within the French administration in various ministries.
According to information from the newspaper “Le Parisien,” the French General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) arrested a French official of Algerian origin working in a sub-directorate of the Ministry of Economy on December 16, 2024, on suspicion of spying for Algeria.
He was accused of passing information to Algerian intelligence. Céline Berthon, head of the DGSI, admitted on March 13 to the France Info website that “the situation with Algeria has now become complicated.”
Diplomatic tensions between France and the government led by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, which have continued to escalate in recent weeks, could have repercussions for France’s internal security.
The Algerian government, for its part, accused the French intelligence service of attempting to destabilize the country by recruiting former terrorists in Algeria and directing them to carry out terrorist attacks in the capital. This prompted it to summon the French ambassador, Stéphane Romanet, to “reprimand” his government.
France uses the media as a means of pressure
A few days ago, a French media channel aired a documentary titled “The Night of the Twenty Hours” about the alleged practices of Algerian intelligence services on French soil to pressure dissidents and activists.
The French documentary reveals the methods used by Algerian intelligence services to contact exiled dissidents in France and persuade them to cooperate by providing information about other activists in exchange for their safe return to Algeria.
The documentary also highlights that the regime’s operations extend beyond influencing social media, including direct actions on French soil to neutralize dissidents.
Algerian media responded to the documentary, describing it as a “vile plot” to discredit the Algerian security services and accusing French media of promoting misinformation.
Conclusion
Following the policy of condemnation that Algeria has pursued since the outbreak of the crisis between the two countries, it appears that the Algerian government has decided to begin implementing the principle of reciprocity.
It is expected to take more stringent and decisive measures in the coming days, especially with Paris announcing military exercises with Morocco near the Algerian border. With this new escalation, Algerian-French relations have entered an unprecedented phase of diplomatic stagnation, which could lead to the final severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the closure of their embassies.