French FM visits Algiers in bid to reset bilateral relations

French FM visits Algiers in bid to reset bilateral relations
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (left) meets with Algeria's President Abdelmajid Tebboune (right) in Algiers, April 6, 2025. PHILEMON HENRY / AFP

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for a “new phase” in relations with Algeria following a meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Algiers Sunday, AFP reports. The weekend visit aimed to repair a diplomatic rift triggered by France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and the jailing of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. Barrot urged a “gesture of humanity” in Sansal’s case and announced renewed cooperation on security, migration, and Sahel policy between the two countries.

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