Algeria Expels More French Officials

Algeria has summoned the chargé d’affaires of the French embassy to inform him of its decision to expel more French officials from its territory, according to diplomatic sources in France.

The move marks another sharp escalation in already strained relations between Algiers and Paris.

French diplomatic sources confirmed on Monday that the Algerian government intends to expel a number of French staff assigned to temporary support roles, though exact figures and deadlines for their departure have not been disclosed.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot responded swiftly, promising a response that will be immediate, firm, and proportionate to what he described as an incomprehensible move by Algeria.

While Algeria’s foreign ministry has not yet released an official statement, the Algerian Press Service reported that the government has demanded the immediate removal of all French personnel appointed without following proper diplomatic procedures.

These violations reportedly include the appointment of at least 15 French officials for diplomatic or consular duties in Algeria without prior notification or official accreditation, breaching established international conventions.

The Algerian authorities further accused France of stalling the accreditation process for two newly appointed Algerian Consuls General in Paris and Marseille, along with seven other consular officials.

These diplomats have reportedly been waiting for over five months for their official credentials to be processed.

This development follows a similar diplomatic dispute in mid-April, when Algeria declared 12 French Interior Ministry officials persona non grata. They were ordered to leave within 48 hours in response to the arrest and detention of an Algerian consular staff member in France.

France retaliated by expelling 12 Algerian consular staff and recalling its ambassador, Stéphane Romatet, for consultations.

On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Barrot acknowledged that diplomatic ties between the two nations remain effectively frozen since April’s mutual expulsions, stating in an interview with France Inter, France Télévisions, and Le Monde that the relationship is still at a standstill.