The continuous test of strength. After months of degradation, relations between Algiers and Paris took a new blow this Wednesday, August 6, when Emmanuel Macron asked that France acts with “more firmness and determination” vis-à-vis Algeria.
The French president will therefore have ended up choosing the test of strength. Putricated for more than a year in an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, the relationship between Paris and Algiers took a new turn on Wednesday August 6 when Emmanuel Macron asked his Prime Minister, François Bayrou, that France acts with ” more firmness and determination »With regard to Algeria.
For several months, tensions have resulted in evictions of civil servants on both sides, the recall of the ambassadors of the two countries and restrictions on the carriers of diplomatic visas. The imprisonment of the writer Boualem Sansal, condemned for ” damage to national unity “And journalist Christophe Gleizes for” Apology of terrorism Has only deteriorate relationships a little more.
SUSPENSION DES VISAS
In a letter addressed to François Bayrou, published by Le FigaroEmmanuel Macron writes that ” France must be strong and be respected “And that” She can only obtain it from her partners if herself shows them the respect she demands from them. This basic rule applies to Algeria too ». In the process, the French president has acted ” The formal suspension “Visa exemption for” Official and diplomatic passports Algerians.
Read also: France-Algeria: Boualem Sansal pays the price of French and European helplessness
A decision which acts a situation of fact: the Minister of French Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, had announced on May 14 ” The dismissal in Algeria of all holding agents of diplomatic passports who would not currently have a visa ». France then reacted to a decision ” unjustified and unjustifiable Algiers to expel French officials, he said.
Emmanuel Macron also asks the government to use ” immediately “From a provision of the 2024 immigration law, the” VISA-READMENT LEVER (LVR) ” Who ” Allows you to refuse short stay visas for service passport holders and diplomatic, as are long -stay visas for all types of applicants ».
The subject of OQTF
The President also asked his Prime Minister ” to instruct the Minister of the Interior “, Bruno Retailleau, holding a hard line towards Algiers,” to find the ways and means of useful cooperation with its Algerian counterpart as quickly as possible ». Il « Also hopes that, faced with the delinquency of Algerian individuals in an irregular situation, the Minister of the Interior and his services act without rest and without respite ».
Read also: an Algerian trap: the story of the condemnation of Christophe Gleizes, journalist at “So Foot”
As of July 23, the French Interior Minister had indicated that France was ” by “To restrict the conditions of travel in France of a” certain number of Algerian dignitaries After Algiers’ refusal to resume 120 nationals under the obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). The fear of the French government is to have to release Algerian nationals currently detained in detention centers for lack of being able to keep them in these centers indefinitely.
To read also: Prohibition to leave the territory: “40% of Algerians” concerned?
Despite the requested firmness, the President of the Republic promises that his ” Objective remains to find effective and ambitious relationships with Algeria ”. He indicated that “As soon as the dialogue has been restored, we will also have to deal with other sensitive bilateral files”, citing “Hospital debt”, “led by certain Algerian state services on the national territory, but also suspended memorial issues ». In Paris, it is estimated that the communication channels are not completely broken but we expect a gesture from Algiers.