The relationship between France and Algeria is going through one of its worst moments in years. Long-standing issues that go back to the days when Algeria was under French rule are coming back to the surface. These painful memories include the dark chapter of protests in 1945, which were met with violence, and arguments over historical records that France still holds. On top of that, there are disagreements about people who went missing during Algeria’s struggle for independence.
Recently, these old wounds have been made worse by new arguments. France has shown strong support for Morocco’s plan to control Western Sahara, a position Algeria deeply opposes. Algeria believes the people of Western Sahara should decide their future themselves, while France is backing Morocco’s claim. This has sparked fresh anger from Algeria, making an already tense relationship even more fragile.
Public opinion in Algeria still carries resentment towards France’s colonial past. This makes every move by France highly sensitive. On the other hand, political voices in France, especially from groups that are critical of immigration, often say things that upset Algerian leaders. All of these factors have combined to create a situation where trust is low and tempers are high.
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Tit-for-Tat Expulsions
Tensions between the two countries have boiled over in recent weeks. It started when Algeria decided to expel twelve French workers from its embassy. In response, France sent home the same number of Algerian staff. This back-and-forth action shows just how frozen and bitter the relationship has become.
Adding fuel to the fire, Algerian authorities recently kicked out two people they said were French spies using fake passports. According to state media in Algeria, these individuals worked for French security and didn’t follow proper procedures when they entered the country. France has remained silent on this incident, but the expulsion is seen as a clear sign that trust between the two nations has collapsed.
French officials have openly admitted that their relations with Algeria are “completely frozen.” The French ambassador who was called back for discussions in Paris still hasn’t returned to Algeria. This unusual delay speaks volumes about how serious the standoff has become.
Meanwhile, a visit by French lawmakers to Algeria to mark the anniversary of the 1945 protests has taken place in the middle of all this rising tension. While such visits are normally a sign of friendship, they have done little to ease the current deadlock.
New Sanctions on the Table
In this heated environment, France is now considering tougher actions against Algeria. One of the measures already in place is restricting the movement of important Algerian figures in France. This decision has upset many in Algeria, but French officials say they are ready to go even further. They are keeping their plans secret for now, saying that diplomacy works best when it is not announced ahead of time.
Other sore points between the two nations include disagreements over migration. France and Algeria often clash over the return of migrants and the handling of people who move between their countries. Each side accuses the other of failing to manage the issue properly.
There are also cases that have drawn sharp reactions, such as the arrests of French-Algerian writers in Algeria. These incidents have only deepened the feeling of mistrust.
The relationship between France and Algeria today is weighed down by both history and new political conflicts. With actions and reactions piling up on both sides, the standoff shows no sign of easing. France’s talk of new sanctions signals that things may get even more strained in the days to come.
