Diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria have escalated following the ongoing detention of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was arrested in mid-November on charges of “undermining state security.” Despite the 75-year-old’s health concerns and his arrest under vague terrorism accusations, France is increasingly doubtful about Algeria’s commitment to a 2022 roadmap aimed at improving bilateral relations.
French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed concern over the situation, stating, “To follow the roadmap, it takes two,” signaling that the agreement between the two countries may be on the verge of collapse due to renewed disputes.
Sansal, a vocal critic of the Algerian government and a former critic of the regime’s authoritarianism, was arrested for allegedly making remarks about Algeria’s colonial-era borders with Morocco and its support for the Polisario Front. The charges, filed under Article 87 bis of Algeria’s Penal Code, equate these criticisms to acts of terrorism. Despite his international literary acclaim, Sansal’s positions, particularly his pro-Israel stance, have made him a controversial figure in Algeria.
French officials, including Barrot, have expressed concerns for Sansal’s well-being, with France maintaining its stance on freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune dismissed Sansal as an “impostor,” labeling him a pawn of France.
Critics argue that Sansal’s arrest is more about silencing dissent than national security. Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the misuse of Article 87 bis to stifle opposition, particularly following the 2019 Hirak protests, which saw the government intensify its crackdown on dissent.
This incident highlights the increasingly strained relationship between Paris and Algiers, especially after diplomatic tensions peaked last July when Algeria recalled its ambassador to France. This diplomatic rift followed French President Macron’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a sensitive issue for Algeria.
