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Doha – Algeria summoned the French Ambassador to Algiers on Tuesday for the second time in six weeks, this time over alleged discriminatory treatment of Algerian citizens at Paris airports, deepening the diplomatic rift in the already tense Franco-Algerian relations.
Secretary of State for Algerians Abroad, Sofiane Chaib, called in French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet to express “firm protestation” regarding what Algeria describes as “provocative, degrading and discriminatory treatments” of Algerian citizens by border police at Charles-De-Gaulle and Orly airports.
According to the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chaib demanded that France take “all necessary measures to end these unacceptable acts and practices that dishonor the French government.”
The ministry stated that Algeria “categorically rejects any infringement on the dignity of its citizens or their instrumentalization for pressure, provocation, or intimidation attempts.”
This latest diplomatic row comes just weeks after Algeria summoned the same ambassador in December 2024 over allegations of “hostile actions” by French intelligence.
At that time, Algeria accused French services of involvement in “destabilizing activities” and “attempts to smuggle weapons and ammunition into Algeria.”
Algeria’s repeated diplomatic provocations have drawn sharp rebukes from French officials.
Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently stated that “not liking France has become a matter of domestic politics” in Algeria, while calling for a complete reset of bilateral relations.
Read also: Western Sahara: Algeria Recalls Ambassador from France
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has advocated for “strong measures” and the termination of the 1968 Franco-Algerian immigration agreement.
Bilateral relations have plunged since France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara last July, a position that President Emmanuel Macron characterized in his October address to the Moroccan parliament as “not hostile to any party.”
Despite its self-proclaimed non-party status in the Western Sahara dispute, Algeria – which continues to arm, finance, and host the Polisario Front separatist group – responded by recalling its ambassador to Paris and threatening sanctions affecting bilateral trade.
A recent Ifop-Fiducial poll conducted for Sud Radio this January reveals that Algeria’s standing among the French public has reached a historic low, with only 29% of respondents holding a favorable view of the country, while 71% express negative opinions.
In contrast, Morocco enjoys a 68% favorability rating among French respondents.
The poll also indicated that 74% of French respondents believe Algeria benefits more from bilateral relations than France, while 61% support revoking the 1968 agreement that provides Algerians with special privileges regarding family reunification, movement, and business creation in France.
