Xavier Driencourt: ‘Algerians Only Understand Force… and Should Be Confronted with Displays of Power’

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | January 10th, 2025 — In a shocking escalation of rhetoric, former French Ambassador to Algeria, Xavier Driencourt, made inflammatory remarks urging France to adopt aggressive and coercive measures against Algeria, further straining diplomatic relations between the two nations. Speaking on the French radio station ‘Sud Radio,’ Driencourt declared that “Algerians understand only force and must be confronted with all forms of power,” sparking widespread condemnation.

Driencourt’s statements, made during a live broadcast, accused Algeria of defiance after the recent deportation of Algerian influencer Boualem from France. He advocated for a complete shift in French policy, calling for aggressive measures, such as revisiting the 1968 bilateral agreements and the 2007 mutual assistance pacts as tools to pressure Algeria diplomatically.

The former diplomat went as far as to suggest leveraging symbolic institutions, such as the Paris Mosque and imposing visa restrictions, specifically targeting Algerian diplomatic passport holders. This blatant call for coercion highlights a hostile narrative reminiscent of colonial dominance, undermining the principles of mutual respect and diplomatic cooperation.

Observers have widely criticized Driencourt’s remarks as being fueled by resentment over Algeria’s assertion of sovereign equality in bilateral relations. His language reflects a pattern of colonial nostalgia and a failure to accept Algeria’s stance as an equal partner on the international stage.

The Algerian public and political figures have condemned the statements, emphasizing the need for diplomatic dialogue based on respect rather than threats and coercion. Calls for a formal apology and clarification from French authorities are mounting as these inflammatory remarks risk deepening tensions between the two nations.

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