Algeria expressed sharp criticism on Tuesday, January 7, through a statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on the Boualem Sansal affair, calling them flippant and an unacceptable interference.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Ahmed Attaf, stated:
“The Algerian government has taken note, with great astonishment, of the remarks made by the French President concerning Algeria, which dishonor, above all, the person who thought it necessary to make them in such a flippant and light-hearted manner.”
Algeria strongly denounced Macron’s comments as meddling in its internal affairs. The Ministry emphasized, “These remarks can only be reproved, rejected and condemned for what they are: a shameless and unacceptable interference in an internal Algerian affair.”
In the statement, Algerian diplomacy addressed Macron’s framing of the issue as one of freedom of expression. They argued that the Boualem Sansal affair was instead a matter of territorial integrity, punishable under Algerian law.
The controversy stems from the arrest of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in mid-November upon his arrival at Algiers airport. Sansal had previously claimed on far-right media in France that parts of Algeria historically belonged to Morocco, leading to charges of undermining state security and national integrity.
On Monday, President Macron urged Algerian authorities to release Sansal, citing humanitarian grounds and stating:
“Algeria...is entering into a story that dishonors it, by preventing a seriously ill man from taking care of himself.”
Sansal, who was naturalized French in 2024 and is supported by far-right groups in France, remains a polarizing figure in the controversy.
The diplomatic row adds tension to already complex Franco-Algerian relations, with Algeria reaffirming its sovereignty and rejecting external interference in its judicial processes.
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