Algiers, Algeria – Relations between France and Algeria have hit a new low with Algiers blaming the rise of the French far right for a more combative approach from Paris towards its former colony.
Algeria has “clearly become the battleground for internal French political disputes, where no blow is too low,” the foreign ministry said in a sharply worded statement.
It pointed to the French far right as the “instigator” of the deepening rift and accused it of “taking French-Algerian relations hostage”.
Relations between the two governments had already been strained last July when France recognised Moroccan sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara in a major tilt towards Algeria’s north African rival.
Algeria, which has long backed the claims to the territory of the pro-independence Polisario Front, recalled its ambassador from Paris in protest.
Relations soured further in November when Algeria arrested French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal on national security charges after he told a French far-right media outlet that Morocco’s territory was truncated in favour of Algeria during French colonial rule.
A series of expulsion orders issued against Algerians in France have deepened the diplomatic chill, with Algiers refusing to grant entry to those expelled.
Last week, Algeria refused to allow in an Algerian France had ordered deported after a deadly knife attack in the eastern city of Mulhouse.
France then threatened to cancel a longstanding agreement with Algeria on free movement — days after it announced travel restrictions on Algerian officials.
In response, Algeria said Thursday it “categorically rejects ultimatums and threats”, leaving “the French side alone to bear full responsibility”.
It said “it will apply strict and immediate reciprocity to all restrictions on mobility between Algeria and France”.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has accused Algeria of trying to “humiliate” its former colonial ruler.
France began its occupation of Algeria in 1830 and the North African country only gained independence in 1962.
– On ‘the wrong track’ –
Despite demands from Algeria, France refuses to “apologise or repent” for the 132 years of often brutal rule that ended in 1962 after a devastating eight-year war.
Today, Paris is on “the wrong track,” said political analyst Hasni Abidi, deeming French pressure counterproductive.
“The sanctions brandished by France are neither likely to restore calm nor exert real pressure on Algerian authorities,” he said.
“President Macron’s laissez-faire attitude has given wings to the conservative right and the far right,” he added, whereas Algeria had so far shown “restraint”.
If tensions keep on rising, Algeria could apply the “principle of reciprocity,” Abidi warned, adding that “economic exchanges and security cooperation could suffer”.
While it maintains strong economic ties with other European countries, including Italy, Spain and Germany, Algeria remains a key gas supplier to France and hosts around 450 French companies.
Last month, the head of France’s foreign intelligence agency DGSE landed in Algiers in what French media said was an effort to revive counterterrorism cooperation against jihadist groups in the Sahel.
“A standoff doesn’t work with a state like Algeria, which has a strong national identity,” French former foreign minister Dominique de Villepin said recently.
The two countries have “never known such a serious crisis”, said French historian and Algeria expert Benjamin Stora, who urged Macron to “talk” and “find the right words”.
© Agence France-Presse
