Algeria accuses far-right in France of fuelling diplomatic tensions

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has increased efforts to attribute the current crisis between Algeria and France as a result of the far-right wing within French politics, reports Atalayar on March 24th.

This stance was clearly reflected in Tebboune’s recent media appearance in an interview broadcast on Algerian television on March 22nd, in a context where French institutions are seeking to resolve bilateral tensions.

Official Algerian discourse suggests that the conflict with France is confined to the most radical factions of French politics, implying that only current French leaders are authorised to address such controversial matters.

However, the actions and approaches from French institutions indicate that the desire for reconciliation is not confined to any particular political movement.

A notable example is the case of detained writer Boualem Sansal, whose situation has been personally defended by Macron, demonstrating a stance beyond political ideologies.

According to Atalayar, Tebboune, in his appearance, sought to reduce French political representation to the future of Macron and, to a lesser extent, to the Foreign Ministers, given his confidence in the head of Algerian diplomacy, Ahmed Attaf.

This strategy has been consistent since the onset of the crisis eight months ago, when Algeria began attributing the tensions solely to the far-right, distancing itself from the official French leadership and its moderate figures, including President Macron.

This was despite Macron’s positions, which have at times made Algeria uncomfortable, such as his strong defence of Boualem Sansal.

While Macron called on President Tebboune to intervene with a presidential pardon following the prosecution’s request for a harsh 10 year sentence for Sansal, the French president used the situation as a focal point in several statements.

One of these, in particular, sparked outrage in Algeria, where he claimed that Algeria was “humiliating itself” by imprisoning Boualem Sansal.

Despite ideological differences between French political factions, there has been little deviation in their official stance towards Algeria on key issues such as immigration, bilateral agreements, or support for Morocco in the Western Sahara conflict.

However, Algeria is keen to exploit the political divisions in France, reaching out to the left and moderates to strengthen ties, as reported by Atalayar.

Tebboune’s recent media appearance reflected a certain uncertainty regarding his relationship with France, his historical European partner.

He refrained from proposing clear conditions or a vision for normalisation, instead relying on Macron to find a solution.

The Algerian president downplayed the crisis, stating that he considers Macron “the only authority” and is working together with him.

He emphasised that the resolution must come from Macron or his Foreign Minister, asserting that the current conflict is a creation of political chaos in France.

“There is widespread chaos and a great political uproar in France over a completely invented dispute,” he said.

However, these words contradicted the actions of Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had condemned France for breaching bilateral agreements, such as its refusal to extradite former Algerian Minister Abdeslam Bouchouareb, wanted by the Algerian judiciary.

On the other hand, Macron has remained steadfast in his defence of Sansal’s freedom, aligning himself with the most vocal critics of Algeria.

He reiterated his belief that Tebboune “will find a quick solution for the writer’s release,” reinforcing a narrative that has only deepened the diplomatic rift and further polarised both nations.

While diplomatic rhetoric may suggest a path to reconciliation, the underlying tensions and contrasting actions reflect a more complex and fraught relationship between Algeria and France and the French far-right.

Atalayar, Maghrebi