Algeria Summons French Ambassador to Protest Treatment of Its Citizens in Paris
Protests Over Alleged Discriminatory Treatment of Algerian Citizens at French Airports Deepen the Political Rift Between Algeria and France.
Watan-The Algerian Foreign Ministry summoned the French Ambassador on Tuesday in a strongly worded protest over what Algeria describes as provocative treatment of Algerian nationals at French airports. This move comes amidst an escalating political crisis between the two countries since July.
A statement from the Algerian Foreign Ministry emphasized that “the French Ambassador in Algeria was informed of the Algerian government’s strong protest regarding the provocative treatment experienced by Algerian citizens at Paris airports.” The statement added, “Algeria is deeply concerned about consistent reports from Algerian citizens about provocative, humiliating, and discriminatory treatment by border police at Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports in Paris.”
The French ambassador, Stéphane Romatet, was received by Sofiane Chaïb, Algeria’s Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of the national community abroad. According to the Algerian Foreign Ministry, the information concerning the alleged provocative and discriminatory behavior towards Algerian nationals was verified and confirmed. The ministry described these actions as “completely unacceptable” and reiterated Algeria’s “firm rejection of any harm to the dignity of its citizens or any attempt to use them as a tool for pressure, provocation, or threats against their country.” Algeria demanded that the French government take all necessary measures to put an immediate end to these practices.
Paris Rejects Algerian Request for Consular Visit to Writer Sansal
The Foreign Ministry’s protest also pertains to an incident on Monday, where Algerian travelers with valid visas faced embarrassing situations upon arriving at French airports, especially in Paris, where they were subjected to lengthy document checks, questioning, and inspections. Algeria accuses French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau of being behind what it perceives as a “punitive campaign.”
On Tuesday, Algeria rejected a French consular request to visit the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who has been in custody since mid-December. Algeria opposes any French intervention in the case. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed in an interview with “Sud Radio” that the Algerian authorities had declined the French request for a consular visit to Sansal.
Background of the Crisis
The current tensions trace back to January 2024, when Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune canceled a planned visit to Paris. This was followed by Algeria’s decision in July to recall its ambassador from Paris and downgrade its diplomatic representation after France expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. Algeria has also taken economic measures, including barring French companies from participating in business deals, limiting imports from France, and excluding French wheat from its international procurement tenders.
