France expels 12 Algerian officials

France on Tuesday expelled 12 Algerian diplomatic officials in a direct response to Algeria’s move the day before to eject the same number of French officials. The tit-for-tat expulsions mark the latest escalation in a series of diplomatic blows exchanged between the two nations, reflecting a rapidly worsening relationship.

In a statement from the Élysée Palace, French authorities described their decision as a “symmetrically calibrated” response, adding that their ambassador to Algiers was also being recalled for consultations. French officials pointed the finger at Algeria, accusing it of causing “a brutal deterioration in our bilateral relations.”

The arrest that sparked a storm

Algeria’s initial move on Monday to expel French officials came in protest of what it described as an unjustified arrest of one of its consular officials by French authorities. That arrest was linked to a sensitive case: the alleged kidnapping of prominent Algerian influencer Amir Boukhors, widely known as Amir DZ.

French counterterrorism prosecutors confirmed that three Algerian nationals were arrested last week, facing preliminary charges of “kidnapping or arbitrary detention … in connection with a terrorist undertaking.” The individuals are suspected of orchestrating the April 2024 abduction of Boukhors, a vocal critic of Algeria’s leadership who commands a large following on TikTok.

A history of fraying ties

This latest fallout follows months of simmering tension that began in the summer of 2024. France shifted its position on Western Sahara, siding with Morocco’s autonomy plan. This move infuriated Algeria, which supports the pro-independence Polisario Front that lays claim to the disputed region.

Diplomatic friction further intensified in November 2024 with the arrest of Boualem Sansal, a French-Algerian writer and outspoken critic of the Algerian government. French officials viewed Sansal’s detention as a retaliatory move, compounding frustrations over human rights and freedom of expression.

From reconciliation to retaliation

Only two weeks ago, there appeared to be a glimmer of hope. French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune reportedly held a phone call during which both leaders agreed to reset the bilateral relationship. However, that détente now seems short-lived.

The arrest of the consular official and the subsequent diplomatic expulsions have derailed any progress, returning Paris and Algiers to a frosty standoff. Analysts say this episode could signal a deeper realignment in North Africa’s geopolitics, where historical wounds and present-day strategic interests continue to collide.

What’s next for Franco-Algerian relations?

With ambassadors being recalled and embassies downsized, the road to diplomatic normalization seems increasingly uncertain. The Western Sahara dispute, migration tensions, and the fate of dissidents like Amir DZ continue to strain a relationship already burdened by colonial history and political mistrust.

As both governments dig in their heels, observers warn that cooperation on key issues — from counterterrorism to regional security — could be at risk, potentially impacting not just France and Algeria, but the broader Mediterranean region.