Algeria-France Diplomatic Tensions Escalate Over Migration Dispute

Algeria has firmly rejected France's demand to accept a list of illegal immigrants, prompting Paris to suspend visa exemptions for Algerian diplomatic passport holders.

Diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France have reached a new peak. On Monday, March 17, Algeria officially refused to accept a list of sixty nationals that France intended to expel. In a strongly worded statement, Algiers denounced the request as “rejected in form and substance”, emphasizing that such procedures must adhere to established consular channels.

Algeria's Firm Stance Against France’s Deportation List

Following Algeria’s refusal, Lounès Magramane, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, summoned the Chargé d'Affaires of the French Embassy in Algeria. A note verbale was issued, reaffirming Algeria’s stance and condemning what it described as “threats, attempts at intimidation, injunctions, ultimatums, and any comminatory language” from Paris.

France’s Response: Suspension of Visa Exemptions for Algerian Diplomats

Reacting swiftly, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced a “graduated response”, starting with the suspension of the 2007 agreement that allowed Algerian diplomatic passport holders to travel to France without a visa.

This move comes amid ongoing tensions over migration policies and historical disputes between the two nations. Retailleau justified the measure by accusing Algeria of failing to “respect the 1994 agreement” regarding the expulsion of its nationals.

Political Reactions in France: Calls for Tougher Measures

The crisis has sparked heated political debate in France. Marine Le Pen, leader of the Rassemblement National deputies, urged stricter measures, including a visa freeze and a halt to official development aid to Algeria. Other French politicians have echoed similar demands, viewing the standoff as an opportunity to apply more pressure on migration-related issues.

A Crisis with Long-Term Diplomatic Consequences

While the suspension of visa exemptions for Algerian diplomats may seem largely symbolic, it signals a broader shift in France’s approach toward Algeria. The decision could further strain diplomatic exchanges and complicate discussions on key bilateral agreements, particularly the 1968 treaty governing the status of Algerians in France.

As tensions escalate, the crisis underscores the fragility of Franco-Algerian relations, with potential ramifications for cooperation on broader economic, security, and migration issues.