
France is set to deliberate on its course of action in response to escalating tensions with Algeria, President Emmanuel Macron and senior government officials announced on Wednesday. The dispute stems from France’s backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara last year, a move that provoked a sharp backlash from Algiers.
Though diplomatic ties remain intact, Algeria has reportedly pursued policies aimed at marginalizing French economic influence, with trade between the nations plummeting by 30% since mid-2024. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the deteriorating relationship as unprecedented, stating, “This is not just a bilateral relationship—it is one of deep intimacy,” while accusing Algeria of adopting a “hostile posture.”
Economic and Diplomatic Pressure
French businesses have faced growing barriers in Algeria, with French firms excluded from wheat tenders, a key export market. Algeria’s banking association even considered suspending transactions with France in November, though the plan was not implemented.
The fallout is compounded by Algeria’s detention of Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, whose health has reportedly deteriorated. Macron condemned the arrest as arbitrary, accusing Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of dishonoring his government. Tebboune dismissed Sansal as an “imposter” backed by France.
Adding to the strain, a recent diplomatic spat erupted over the arrest of several Algerian influencers in France. One was deported to Algiers, only to be sent back to Paris under disputed legal grounds, drawing ire from France’s right-wing parties.
The tension revives painful memories of the 1954-1962 Algerian War of Independence, during which hundreds of thousands of Algerians and tens of thousands of French soldiers died. Macron has advocated for transparency about France’s colonial past but has criticized Algeria’s political system for promoting anti-French narratives.
Jalel Harchaoui, a fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, warned that both nations seem entrenched in their positions. “Algeria feels emboldened by its diminishing reliance on France’s economy, making Paris’s leverage increasingly limited,” he said.
Macron’s government faces pressure to adopt tougher measures, particularly as it tightens immigration policies. Barrot has offered to visit Algeria for talks, though it remains unclear if such diplomacy can mend the growing rift.