France-Algeria diplomatic crisis threatens bilateral relations

According to analysts, the ongoing diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria is increasing the risk of a rupture in bilateral relations, as reported by Middle East Eye on 14 March.

Tensions between France and its former North African colony have been escalating since July 2024, when French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for Morocco’s claims of sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Western Sahara has been listed as a Non-Self-Governing Territory by the United Nations since 1963, following Spain’s transmission of information about Spanish Sahara, according to the United Nations’ official website.

The territory is largely controlled by Morocco but claimed by the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement supported by Algeria.

Macron’s comments angered Algiers, leading to the “immediate withdrawal” of its ambassador to France and the release of a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

“This French decision does not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the Western Sahara issue. Instead, it bolsters the impasse—one precisely created by the so-called Moroccan autonomy plan—which has lasted for more than seventeen years,” the Ministry stated.

“Even though the international community has long been convinced that the Western Sahara issue undoubtedly falls under a decolonisation process to be completed, this French decision twists the facts by giving credence to colonial practices and unjustifiably backing Morocco’s alleged sovereignty over Western Sahara’s territory,” it added.

The situation worsened in early March following a knife attack in eastern France, which resulted in one death and three police officers being injured.

The attacker, an Algerian, had previously been unsuccessfully attempted for deportation by French authorities 14 times.

In response, French Prime Minister François Bayrou issued an ultimatum, giving Algiers “one month to six weeks” to accept the readmission of its nationals residing illegally in France.

If not, France could reconsider aspects such as visa-free travel for Algerian diplomats and even terminate the 1968 bilateral agreement, which, according to Paris, offers significant advantages to Algerians regarding entry and residence.

In addition to these incidents, France has accused Algeria of blacklisting French companies bidding for public contracts, and political tensions have escalated, with French leaders increasingly criticising Algeria’s stance.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, for instance, has called for a firmer approach, stating: “No pain in history gives a licence to offend France.”

This refers to the 132-year colonial era, which continues to be a significant source of tension between the two countries.

French historian Benjamin Stora highlighted the lingering colonial-era grievances, with some arguing that the crisis reflects a “colonial unconscious” in France.

This suggests that some in France still view Algeria as a former colony that should submit to Paris’s influence—a perspective widely shared in Algeria.

Experts warn that the escalating tensions could cause irreparable damage to French-Algerian relations- similar to how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also warned of ‘incalculable consequences on the Algerian-French relationship in all its dimensions.’

Farida Souiah, a professor of social sciences at a business school in Lyon, noted that tensions between France and Algeria have been brewing since the 1970s.

However, what distinguishes the current situation is the duration and accumulation of crises since July 2024.

While Algerian authorities are accused of using the crisis to divert attention from internal issues, in France, migration issues are seen as crucial to securing votes from the right and far-right political factions.

This crisis also carries significant economic and security implications, as the two countries share critical ties, particularly Algeria’s role as a major gas supplier to France and their cooperation on security efforts in the Sahel region.

The France and Algeria diplomatic crisis remains volatile, and many fear that the breakdown in relations could have incalculable consequences for both bilateral ties and the broader geopolitical landscape.

Middle East Eye, United Nations, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad