France seeks to preserve ties with Algeria despite diplomatic standoff

It’s been a whirlwind week for Algerian/French relations. Over the span of four days, Algeria expelled 12 French embassy officials and France retaliated by expelling 12 Algerian officials and recalling its ambassador.

The diplomatic fallout stems from the arrest of an Algerian official in France, allegedly linked to the temporary kidnapping of an Algerian influencer critical of the Algerian government.

Despite the tit-for-tat expulsions, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barro told French news outlet, Inter, that France continues to pursue ties with its former colony, Morocco World News reports.

“I simply say that if we want results for French men and women, we will, sooner or later, need to return to a frank, clear-eyed, and demanding dialogue,” Barrot told Inter.

Barro stressed that France has a vested interest in stabilizing relations with Algeria to address key issues: deporting individuals in irregular situations, improving intelligence cooperation, countering terrorism, and securing the release of detained French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.

Sansal, known for his criticism of the Algerian regime, was sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly undermining national unity—a charge France believes is politically driven.

This diplomatic spat is the latest in a series of strained interactions between the two nations. Tensions previously surged when France recognized Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, a move Algeria opposes, supporting instead a UN-backed referendum advocated by the Polisario Front.

Despite these challenges, French officials insist they aim to restore dialogue and rebuild ties with Algeria.