France expels 12 Algerian diplomats as tensions with Algeria escalate

Macron's government responds to Algeria’s diplomatic retaliation, deepening the rift between Paris and Algiers.

People enter the General Consulate of Algeria, with an Algerian flag hanging from the facade, in Lyon, France, on April 15, 2025. Photo by Matthieu Delaty/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

France has officially expelled 12 Algerian diplomats and consular staff members, a dramatic move that marks a new low in the already fragile relations between Paris and Algiers. This development comes just days after Algeria ordered the expulsion of 12 French officials in response to the arrest of an Algerian consular employee in France. France expels Algerian diplomats encapsulates the deepening rift, and signals a potential freeze in cooperation between the two nations on sensitive issues such as migration and counterterrorism.

The diplomatic standoff has not only raised eyebrows in both capitals, but also left political analysts and citizens alike questioning the future of French-Algerian relations. France’s move was formally announced on Tuesday, with President Emmanuel Macron’s office describing Algeria’s earlier decision as “incomprehensible and unjustified.” The French government called on Algiers to resume dialogue and take responsibility for what it described as the deterioration of bilateral relations.

The roots of a growing crisis

The current row is only the latest chapter in a turbulent history between France and Algeria, one shaped by colonial legacy, immigration challenges, and divergent foreign policy interests in North Africa. France expels Algerian diplomats may seem sudden, but the friction has been building up over several months—perhaps even years.

The arrest that triggered Algeria’s retaliation involved a consular official connected to a case that French authorities have linked to the kidnapping and attempted repatriation of Amir Boukhors, a political influencer and government critic living in exile in France. Three Algerians, including the consular worker, were charged in Paris on Friday with kidnapping and terrorist conspiracy.

Following the arrests, Algeria responded furiously. On Sunday, it issued a 48-hour deadline for 12 French diplomatic and consular staff to leave the country. France’s retaliatory action mirrored this exact figure and timeframe, sending a clear message that it would not tolerate what it viewed as political and security interference.

Macron’s strategy under pressure

Macron has attempted multiple times to normalize relations with Algeria since taking office, often walking a tightrope between acknowledging France’s colonial past and maintaining contemporary geopolitical interests. Earlier this month, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Algiers to de-escalate rising tensions. But this visit now appears to have done little to improve the situation.

Barrot himself characterized Algeria’s decision as “an escalation,” and Macron’s inner circle expressed disbelief that such actions followed just weeks after a seemingly constructive phone conversation between Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

This fallout, sparked by the incident involving Amir Boukhors and the consular staff, underscores how fragile the diplomatic efforts have been. France expels Algerian diplomats is not only a headline but a reflection of the broader disintegration of trust between two nations that are ostensibly partners.

Algeria’s grievances and the reaction from Paris

Algeria’s foreign ministry has accused France’s hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau of deliberately sabotaging recent progress. Retailleau supported France’s expulsion decision on Tuesday and stated that France “cannot be used as a playground for Algerian security services.”

This pointed remark references deeper concerns within France’s security establishment. Paris has accused Algerian agents of operating with impunity on French soil, sometimes targeting Algerian dissidents who reside in France under legal protection. It’s not the first time such accusations have surfaced, but the stakes have now reached unprecedented levels.

In response, the Algerian foreign ministry condemned what it called a “vile act” by French authorities. Meanwhile, the 12 expelled Algerian officials have been ordered to leave France within 48 hours, closing yet another diplomatic channel that had once offered the possibility of negotiation and cooperation.

Diplomatic tensions impacting individual lives

While state actors spar on the international stage, the consequences of these actions ripple down to individuals. One such person is Boualem Sansal, the celebrated French-Algerian writer who was jailed in Algeria last year on national security charges. Sansal’s daughters published an emotional plea in Le Figaro this week, calling on Macron to intervene.

Their commentary described Sansal as “a hostage” in the growing diplomatic battle, raising fears that political prisoners and dissidents could become bargaining chips in this latest dispute. Sansal, 80, is said to be in poor health, and human rights organizations have already begun calling for his immediate release.

Migration and security policy in the crosshairs

France expels Algerian diplomats may be the center of the current storm, but it’s far from the only issue roiling bilateral ties. France has long accused Algeria of refusing to cooperate in repatriating undocumented nationals, some of whom have been linked to serious crimes.

In February, a 37-year-old Algerian national—whom France had unsuccessfully tried to deport—was involved in a fatal stabbing in Mulhouse. Incidents like these have stoked public outcry and hardened the French government’s stance on migration enforcement.

Algeria, for its part, sees such deportation efforts as politically motivated and unfair. This ongoing tension over migration policy has further complicated cooperation in areas like intelligence sharing, border security, and judicial assistance.

A rift with historical weight

The diplomatic history between France and Algeria is deeply emotional and often volatile. France colonized Algeria for over 130 years before a brutal war of independence in the 1950s and 60s led to Algeria's sovereignty in 1962. Since then, the two countries have shared a complex and often uneasy partnership.

Millions of people in France have Algerian heritage, and these communities often find themselves caught in the middle when political spats erupt. The decision to expel diplomats—both French and Algerian—will undoubtedly affect consular services, travel, and cultural exchanges in the months ahead.

Where do France and Algeria go from here?

For now, both sides have dug in. Macron’s government says it will defend French national interests “without compromise” and demands that Algeria fulfill its obligations, especially regarding national security and migration cooperation.

However, without open channels of communication, solutions remain elusive. The future of bilateral ties hinges not only on top-level diplomacy but also on addressing the underlying mistrust that has festered for years.

Algeria and France must decide whether they will continue down the path of tit-for-tat retaliation or find a way to rebuild trust through dialogue and mutual respect.

For now, France expels Algerian diplomats stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly relations can deteriorate, and how much is at stake when they do.