Algeria slams vows harsh retaliation against France's visa crackdown
Iran Press TV
Thursday, 07 August 2025 5:47 PM
Algeria has strongly rejected recent French visa restrictions targeting Algerian diplomats, pledging to impose reciprocal measures as the diplomatic rift between the two countries intensifies.
In response to a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron published by Le Figaro on Tuesday, Algeria's Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned what it described as a "one-sided narrative" that ignores France's own responsibilities and distorts the reality of bilateral relations.
"France has violated its own laws and international commitments, particularly regarding deportation procedures and diplomatic protocols," the ministry said in an official statement.
The ministry further noted that Algeria had previously waived visa requirements for French diplomatic passport holders but would now reinstate visa demands in retaliation for France's latest restrictions.
Macron's letter ordered the suspension of a 2013 visa exemption agreement for Algerian diplomats and called for the enforcement of a 2024 immigration law clause that allows France to deny visas—short- and long-term—to Algerian officials.
This punitive move deepens a diplomatic crisis that has escalated since July 2024, when France recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory, a decision vehemently opposed by Algeria.
Relations deteriorated further in April 2025 after French authorities indicted an Algerian consular official over the alleged abduction of a dissident, prompting Algeria to expel 12 French embassy employees in retaliation.
In his letter, Macron accused Algeria of "non-compliance with its obligations," including what he described as "cessation of cooperation" by Algeria's 18 consulates operating on French soil.
He called for "more firmness" and urged his government to implement restrictive visa policies on Algerian diplomats, framing it as a necessity for France to "command respect."
However, Algerian officials and media have slammed Macron's approach as escalatory and unjustified. They argue that France is shirking its own responsibilities, notably its refusal to fully cooperate on migration issues, including repatriation of Algerian nationals residing illegally in France.
The visa restrictions threaten to disrupt the mobility of thousands of Algerians traveling to France for work, study, or family reunification and could impact French businesses operating in Algeria, raising concerns about economic repercussions.
Critics within Algeria accuse France of wielding visa policy as a political weapon amid long-standing tensions rooted in France's colonial legacy.
Algeria's struggle for independence after 132 years of brutal French colonization left deep scars, and many view Macron's actions as reflective of neocolonial arrogance.
The diplomatic row has been further inflamed by high-profile cases such as the imprisonment of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, sentenced to five years for "undermining Algerian territorial integrity" over remarks he made to far-right media in France.
Another French journalist, Christophe Gleizes, received a seven-year sentence for "condoning terrorism" after interviewing a pro-independence Kabylia activist.
Journalists and analysts accuse Macron of prioritizing domestic political pressures over genuine dialogue.
Khaled Drareni, Reporters Without Borders' North Africa representative, condemned Macron's decision as a "clear political choice: rupture," accusing the French president of abandoning efforts to normalize relations and ignoring Algeria's legitimate grievances.
Drareni further criticized Macron's earlier remarks questioning Algeria's national identity prior to French colonization, describing them as an affront that deepened mistrust.
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