France to recall ambassador, expel 12 Algerian diplomats in reciprocal move

PARIS, April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced that France will recall its ambassador to Algeria and expel 12 Algerian diplomatic staff stationed in France in a reciprocal move.

Barrot made the announcement on his X account after Algeria ordered 12 French diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours on Monday.

In a press release published on Tuesday, the Elysee said Algerian authorities should take full responsibility for a “sudden” deterioration in bilateral relations.

“In this context, France will proceed with the symmetrical expulsion of twelve agents serving in the Algerian consular and diplomatic network in France. The President of the Republic has decided to recall the French Ambassador to Algiers, Mr. Stephane Romatet, for consultations,” the Elysee said.

Relations between France and Algeria have deteriorated in recent months, partly due to the hardline stance of the French interior minister. Although both sides expressed a willingness to improve ties following Barrot’s visit to Algeria on April 6, tensions escalated after France indicted a consular official over suspected involvement in the 2024 abduction of an Algerian government opponent. 

The activist, Amir Boukhors – better known to his more than one million TikTok followers as “Amir DZ” – was granted asylum in France in 2023. He was abducted in a Paris suburb in April last year and released the next day. French authorities said the three suspects are also facing charges of “terrorist” conspiracy.

It is the first time France has detained an employee of the Algerian consulate, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between Paris and the former French colony.Advertisement

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday that the expulsions were directly linked to the arrests.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs noted that Algeria’s move, if carried out, would mark the first expulsion of French diplomats from the country since its independence in 1962.

Algeria, which has issued nine international arrest warrants for Boukhors on charges including fraud and “terrorism”, is demanding his extradition.

The escalation comes despite recent overtures between the two countries. Just a week earlier, Barrot met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and declared bilateral relations had returned to normal after a period of simmering tensions.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed region of Western Sahara last year sparked outrage in Algiers. The jailing of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal by an Algerian court last month only added to the strain with Macron calling for his release. — NNN-AGENCIES