Algeria has strongly condemned fresh French sanctions, describing them as the latest in “a long series of threats and harassment” targeting the nation, further escalating already strained relations between the two countries.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, denounced the French measures as an act of “provocation,” emphasizing that “Algeria was not officially informed of the French measures, as required by bilateral agreements between the two countries.” The ministry asserted that these sanctions “will not affect Algeria in any way.”
The sanctions, announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, involve “measures to restrict movement and access to national territory for certain Algerian dignitaries,” a move France justifies by Algeria’s refusal to accept deported nationals, including the perpetrator of the recent Mulhouse attack. France also cites the imprisonment of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal as a point of contention.
The issue of deported Algerians has become a flashpoint. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, following the Mulhouse attack, criticized Algeria’s refusal to accept the suspect, who had a deportation order. This has led to French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou urging Algeria to reconsider the 1968 immigration agreements, which grant Algerian nationals special privileges regarding entry, residency, and employment in France. These accords, signed after Algeria’s independence, are now a central point of contention.
The diplomatic spat highlights the enduring legacy of France’s colonial past in Algeria. Issues such as the Algerian War of Independence, the unresolved cases of missing persons, and France’s nuclear testing in the Sahara continue to strain bilateral relations.
Analysts suggest that this escalation could have significant implications for economic and security cooperation between the two nations, potentially impacting regional stability. While Prime Minister Bayrou has called for caution, the long term impacts remain to be seen.