France has warned Algeria against escalating a diplomatic row over the arrests of pro-Algerian government social media influencers accused of inciting violence against French nationals, according to AFP. Tensions rose after Algeria refused entry to "Doualemn," a TikTok influencer expelled from France for hate-inciting videos. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot threatened visa restrictions and cuts to development aid if Algeria continues to escalate the standoff.
They had already heated up over the detention in Algerian of a leading Franco-Algerian writer. France's interior minister Bruno Retailleau on Friday accused Algeria of trying to humiliate France over the writer.
Among the arrested influencers, "Imad Tintin" faces trial in March for posting a video calling for “burning alive, killing, and raping on French soil.” Others, including Sofia Benlemmane, were accused of spreading hate and threats, while "Zazou Youssef" faces terrorism-justification charges.
The row has deepened the fissure in Franco-Algerian ties, initially caused last year when President Emmanuel Macron expressed French support for Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group on Friday claimed responsibility for an attack in northern Benin near the borders with insurgency-hit neighbors,
Somalia's president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will visit Ethiopia on Saturday, his office said, as the two countries look
Libya has forcibly expelled over 600 Nigeriens in what is believed to be its largest deportation to date, according to
SOS Méditerranée, a French humanitarian group, has accused Italy of "cynical" policies after it rescued 101 migrants from
Sign up for the weekly newsletter and get our latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.
