France and Algeria agree to ‘normalisation’ of relations

The presidents of France and Algeria, Emmanuel Macron and Abdelmadjid Tebboune, have finally agreed to the normalisation of relations after months of tension.

According to Saudi news source Asharq Al-Awsat on April 1st, the two men agreed to reestablish a dialogue and cooperate on security and migration.

Macron also pleaded with Tebboune to show “mercy and humanity” to the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal who has been sentenced to five years in prison by an Algerian court.

The arrest and subsequent sentencing of Sansal related to comments made regarding Algerian claims to the Western Sahara region.

The issue of sovereignty claims over the Western Sahara has been fundamental to the diplomatic crisis between the two countries, as France supports Morocco’s claims to autonomy over the Western Saharan region.

Algeria – a former French colony until 1962 – has consistently defended the rights of the native Saharawi people against the Moroccan state’s seizure of the Western Sahara.

Despite Algerian outcry, Morocco has enjoyed the support of western powers including France and Spain.

Nationals of both France and Algeria living in the other will hope that the normalisation of relations will improve life for them.

French nationals living in Algeria have complained of economic consequences for their businesses during the diplomatic tensions, whilst Algerian citizens have suffered under harsh treatment by the French authorities.

France has been accused of intentionally closing all visa windows except one upon arrival at international airports upon the arrival of Algerian passengers.

Immigration has been another sore point in diplomatic relations between the two nations with key frameworks and norms being overridden by both nations.

Algeria has refused to accept a series of deportations of nationals that France describes as dangerous or irregular.

As recently as March 18th, Algeria refused to accept the deportations of around 60 citizens, with the Algerian foreign ministry saying they “categorically reject threats and intimidation.”

Asharq Al-Awsat, Maghrebi