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New chapter in the tense relationship between Paris and Algiers. In a letter to Prime Minister François Bayrou and revealed by Le Figaro Wednesday, August 6, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, asks the government ” more firmness and determination »With regard to Algeria and calls for the suspension of visa exemption from Algerian official and diplomatic passports.
The letter from the president to the head of government is displayed on the newspaper’s website Le Figaro. In this one, Emmanuel Macron first highlights ” growing difficulties “Met” in migration and security matters with Algeria As well as the fate reserved for the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal (80 years old) and the French journalist Christophe Gleizes. The first was arrested in November 2024 in Algeria and sentenced to five years’ firm years, in particular for “attacking national unity”; The second was arrested in May 2024 and was sentenced to seven years in prison for “apology for terrorism”.
“The Algerian authorities have made the deliberate choice not to respond to our repeated calls in recent months to work together in the interest of our two nations. He could have been otherwise. Now we have no choice but to adopt an approach of greater firmness ”he justifies.
As a result, the French president intends to completely readjust his approach to Algeria. “” France must be strong and be respected. (…) 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 », Harts the President of the Republic to his Prime Minister François Bayrou, in a missive that marks a new stage in the acute diplomatic crisis that the two countries are going through.
Emmanuel Macron approves Bruno Retailleau’s line
The Head of State also invokes ” The non-compliance by Algiers of its obligations concerning readmissions » et « The cessation of the cooperation of the 18 Algerian consulates present in France with the French State servicess “. And for Emmanuel Macron, the measures hitherto taken by the French government are not sufficient: ” We must act (…) The suspension (…) of the 2013 agreement (on) the exemptions from visas on official and diplomatic passports. »
He asked the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, to notify the Algerian authorities, and the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, to ensure the immediate effectiveness of this decision, in particular that short stay visas can be refused to Algerian officials. A hardening of tone from Emmanuel Macron who goes in the direction of Bruno Retailleau, holding a hard line towards Algiers.
The Head of State wants ” 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 ».
« The response of the Algerian authorities to our requirements for migration and consular cooperation will determine the continuation of our steps “Concludes Emmanuel Macron.
Writing with RFI
