France

France-Algeria Diplomatic Crisis Deepens With New Expulsions

Published MAY 13 2025

Story

Above: French and Algerian flags displayed in Algiers ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's official visit on Aug. 25, 2022. Image credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Algeria ordered the immediate expulsion of 15 French diplomatic staff on Monday, claiming, according to state media, that they held irregular positions and entered the country without proper accreditation, escalating tensions between the two nations.
APS
Reuters
AA
In response, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters in Normandy that France would respond "immediately, firmly, and in a manner proportionate to the harm it is doing to our interests" to the "incomprehensible and brutal decision."
European Conservative
TRTGlobal
The latest expulsions follow the removal of 12 French embassy staff in April after France arrested an Algerian consular agent in connection with a kidnapping case. In retaliation, France expelled the Algerian ambassador and 12 diplomatic agents.
RFI
European Conservative
French-Algerian relations are complicated due to France’s colonization of Algeria, but have deteriorated significantly after France backed Morocco's autonomy plan for the Western Sahara in July 2024, contradicting Algeria's support for the Sahrawi people's self-determination.
Le Monde diplomatique
The New Arab
Migration has been an additional factor, with France accusing Algeria of not repatriating expelled Algerian nationals, prompting France to place restrictions on Algerian diplomatic passports in March, which Algeria condemned as in breach of bilateral agreements.
Africanews
EuroNews
European Conservative
The diplomatic crisis deepened yet further when French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was sentenced the same month to five years' imprisonment in Algeria for comments made to a French far-right media outlet claiming that areas of western Algeria belonged to Morocco.
BBC News
Le Monde diplomatique

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Algeria's expulsion of French diplomatic staff was in response to France's repeated breaches of diplomatic protocol and bilateral agreements, including recent irregularities in consular appointments. France's disregard for established procedures and its continued interference in regional affairs reflect a lingering colonial attitude that continues to strain bilateral relations.

APS

Narrative B

Algeria's actions represent a clear violation of international norms. Ultimately, this decision serves neither country's national interests. It lacks any legitimate justification and only worsens the strain on Franco-Algerian relations. As always, France will respond in a calm, proportionate, and measured way, guided by the need to protect its national interests.

European Conservative

Reuters